CENTERVILLE MESSENGER (096380) Free Upon Request-Published Weekly by Centerville Church of Christ, 138 N. Central Ave., Centerville, TN 37033-1427 August 24, 2016 Volume XXXVI - Number 33 “I Hope You Know” For every Christian, there is one woman who is in each of our lives and the role she plays for us all, is beyond compare. Her role is the most important and perhaps the most influential we could imagine. She has a purpose to be a greater source of strength and support than a wife. She is intended to be a better encourager and nurturer than a mother. Her love is to be visible by all and every word she speaks is to not only be true, but guiding. She’s reserved exclusively for the Son of God, and she’s not to be confused with an imposter. Furthermore, she does not exist to conform to the will of those who occupy her, but rather those who occupy her are to conform to the will of the One who built her and blesses her over and over again. She’s the church, the chosen bride of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Just as a husband is to care for the concern and welfare of his bride, more than his own, so too is the bride to be focused on honoring her vow to her groom. The church today has no less obligation to the Lord than that of a wife to a husband (see Ephesians 5:22-33). Christianity is suffering in American today, not because we have raised a generation that is exclusively anti-god, but because we have failed to live lives of consistent faith to show them an alternative in the world. We have farmed out the responsibilities of our God-given faith to government programs for their advancement of causes left for the church to address. By our politics we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, deal with the imprisoned, and care for the sick, and during it all the church sits by on the sideline praying we do not have to be imposition by the hurting of the world. This contradicts all our Lord called us to be (Matthew 25:33-40). Christians must remember two things: one, we were all once the hurting of the world, and two, the hurting of the world have no other source or alternative for the cure of their pain, than the haven of the church. We cannot look at the hurting of the world, we cannot look at the citizens of our community as the problem for someone else to cure. Such a truth means we must look to the immediacy of the community around us and see the problems, and instead of ignoring them, we must invest in helping answer these problems with the power of the gospel. Thus to the impoverished, the unemployed, the uneducated, and the addict and abusers, we reach out not with a means to appease their pain, but answer their problem of life with a light which shines in dark places, the gospel of our Lord. The church is not to be viewed as an organization or a corporation originated from the mind of man. The church is a collective of individuals called out from a world of brokenness and waywardness into a community of faith and encouragement for something better in this life and the life to come. As the church, the gathering of the called out and the separate from the world, we must look to define ourselves by more than mere traditions, but more so to the submission to the only truth which can set us free (John 8:32). As the bride of Christ, we were shown the power of submission through our Lord’s willingness to die on the cross for the atonement of man’s sin (Philippians 2:6-8). In response, we can now answer the needs of a world broken by sin and burdened by confusion by sharing the saving message of a Savior’s sacrifice made once and for all. I hope you know, this is our blessing as His bride.
Transcript
CENTERVILLE MESSENGER (096380) Free Upon Request-Published Weekly by Centerville Church of Christ, 138 N. Central Ave., Centerville, TN 37033-1427 August 24, 2016 Volume XXXVI - Number 33
“I Hope You Know”
For every Christian, there is one woman who is in each of our lives and the role she plays for us all, is beyond compare. Her role is the most important and perhaps the most influential we could imagine. She has a purpose to be a greater source of strength and support than a wife. She is intended to be a better encourager and nurturer than a mother. Her love is to be visible by all and every word she speaks is to not only be true, but guiding. She’s reserved exclusively for the Son of God, and she’s not to be confused with an imposter. Furthermore, she does not exist to conform to the will of those who occupy her, but rather those who occupy her are to conform to the will of the One who built her and blesses her over and over again. She’s the church, the chosen bride of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Just as a husband is to care for the concern and welfare of his bride, more than his own, so too is the bride to be focused on honoring her vow to her groom. The church today has no less obligation to the Lord than that of a wife to a husband (see Ephesians 5:22-33). Christianity is suffering in American today, not because we have raised a generation that is exclusively anti-god, but because we have failed to live lives of consistent faith to show them an alternative in the world. We have farmed out the responsibilities of our God-given faith to government programs for their advancement of causes left for the church to address. By our politics we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, deal with the imprisoned, and care for the sick, and during it all the church sits by on the sideline praying we do not have to be imposition by the hurting of the world. This contradicts all our Lord called us to be (Matthew 25:33-40). Christians must remember two things: one, we were all once the hurting of the world, and two, the hurting of the world have no other source or alternative for the cure of their pain, than the haven of the church. We cannot look at the hurting of the world, we cannot look at the citizens of our community as the problem for someone else to cure.
Such a truth means we must look to the immediacy of the community around us and see the problems, and instead of ignoring them, we must invest in helping answer these problems with the power of the gospel. Thus to the impoverished, the unemployed, the uneducated, and the addict and abusers, we reach out not with a means to appease their pain, but answer their problem of life with a light which shines in dark places, the gospel of our Lord. The church is not to be viewed as an organization or a corporation originated from the mind of man. The church is a collective of individuals called out from a world of brokenness and waywardness into a community of faith and encouragement for something better in this life and the life to come. As the church, the gathering of the called out and the separate from the world, we must look to define ourselves by more than mere traditions, but more so to the submission to the only truth which can set us free (John 8:32). As the bride of Christ, we were shown the power of submission through our Lord’s willingness to die on the cross for the atonement of man’s sin (Philippians 2:6-8). In response, we can now answer the needs of a world broken by sin and burdened by confusion by sharing the saving message of a Savior’s sacrifice made once and for all. I hope you know, this is our blessing as His bride.
Centerville Church of Christ Friends & Family Day
September 4, 2016
“Come To The Garden…
You Are Not Alone !”
Speaker: Bryan McAlister
potluck lunch at 11 a.m.
No 6p Worship
2016 September Series
unchain my heart Sept. 7 - Unchain My Heart to the Lost
Jim Brown, Cedar Hill, TN Dinner Hosted by: Wayne Qualls’ Class
Sept. 14 - Unchain My Heart to the Lonely
David Swanger, Hendersonville, TN Dinner Hosted By: Bill McDonald’s Class
Sept. 21 - Unchain My Heart to the Little Ones
Nick McNabb, Searcy, AR Dinner Hosted by: 20/30’s Class
Sept. 28 - Unchain My Heart to the Lord
Hugh Fulford, Gallatin, TN Dinner Catered by: Fish Camp Restaurant
Dinner Served Each Wednesday In September from 5:30-6:30 P.M.
There will be a potluck lunch served following Bible Classes at 11 A.M.
Please sign-up for a meat dish and also bring side dishes and desserts for your
family and another family.
A GREAT WAY TO KICK-OFF OUR 5TH QUARTERS… We had over 60 Senior High together in the Fellowship Hall Friday night after the game to enjoy lots of food and just being together. We also had several playing basketball, Kanjam, Spike ball, and throwing football. It was a great night and I appreciate the help from Misty Shelton and Jennifer Baltz and for Mark Bentley dropping by too! Our next 5th Quarter is Sept 2! SOME ESCAPED…SOME DIDN’T... What a way to begin our Firesides for this school year! 50 plus Junior & Senior High began the night by enjoying some delicious burgers and dogs fixed by Eric Nash. Next we turned the night over to the Clues Bro. as they had come in and set up the Escape Game in several of our rooms in the building. These games are set up with clues scattered and hidden in the rooms where the team is “locked-in.” A one hour time limit is set to assemble all the clues and figure your way out of the room. It was a lot of fun and a whole lot challenging. We ended the night with a devo on the topic of escaping the evil one by “bringing every thought into the captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5. Thanks again to Misty and
to Eric & Brandy Nash for all their help with the night. WHAT A GREAT JOB SEVERAL of our young men have done over the past several Wednesday nights. Following Camp Kerusso, our young men have been taking care of the devotional services on Wednesday nights. Griffin Elkins, John Jacobs, Dalton Thomasson, Riley Qualls, Colby Shelton, and Luke Worsham all did fantastic jobs. Several more will have opportunities in the coming months as well as at Coble. We are so proud of all our young men and ladies and the roles they fill in our church. How blessed we are and we appreciate them all! TEAM HARVEST SKEET SHOOT... This Saturday begins with Team Harvest hosting a Skeet Shoot at Henry Horton State Park. The group will leave at 7am and return sometime early afternoon. Space is still available, just let Monty Dunn or the church office know you are interested. FAMILY FUN DAY AT MERIBAH… is also Saturday beginning at 4pm. This is for the entire family to enjoy some good food, games or just sitting and talking, and the night ends with a movie on the lawn. Bring the whole family, some lawn chairs, and be prepared for a enjoyable afternoon together! SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER CALENDARS ARE COMING OUT BEFORE THE 1ST. On them you will find Firesides, Prayer Breakfasts, L2L, Lighthouses, Friends & Family Day, Sparks & Intermediate Activities, Bible Studies back in October, Coble worship services, Trunk or Treat and more! Be on the lookout to pick one up and some for your friends or you can get them from our webpage! DAILY MAY WE STRIVE to bring “every thought into the captivity of the obedience of Christ.” Be an encouragement to each other and always… follow His path-Craig
Wednesday Nights
L2L L2L Classroom in
Lighthouse August 24
Lighthouse Connor McAlister
5:00-7:00 August 27
TEAM HARVEST
Skeet Shoot @ Henry Horton
7:00am @ Bus Garage
August 27 Family Fun Day
@ Camp Meribah
4-?? COMING SOON RUSH @ FHU
Sept 17 Jr & Sr High
CONTRIBUTION $11,439.25 BUDGET
$ 12,784.oo Camp Meribah
$ 184.50
Home: Charles Horner, Sammye Elrod, Martha Minick, Pauline Jimerson, Mary Helen Barber, Fronia Nash, Alvitea Sunder, Dan & Martha Jo Wallace, A.J. & Willie B. Coates, Charles Minick, Dorothy Easley, J.W. & Sue Roder, Troy Parks.
Centerville Church of Christ
Sunday 9am / 6pm Wednesday 7pm
Nursing Home Residents: Life Care Center: Raymond Truett, Helen Hudgins, Christine Sawyer, Larry Talley, Nellie Kalosis, Lucy Noles, Stella Greer, Elsie Mathis, Thelma Chessor Hickman County Nursing Home: Allene Worley, Eltie Davis Lewis County Manor: Terry Johnston
Sympathy
...Percy Lancaster suffered a broken tailbone due to a recent fall. He is at home. ...Louise Bates is recovering at home. ...Allen Troutner, sister of Martha Loveless, spent a couple of days in St. Thomas West due to suffering a mild heart attack. ...Becky Carroll, sister of Henrietta Rochelle and Marie Bates, had back surgery Monday at St. Thomas West. She is doing well. ...Kenley Bates, Youth Minister at the Pineview Church of Christ in Hohenwald, and his wife Beth Ann, have a sick baby in Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and would appreciate your prayers. ...Marty Avery, brother of Shane Willis, is recovering from back surgery at home. ...Patricia Slaughter is in critical condition following surgery at St. Thomas West. She and her family are members at the New Bethel Church of Christ.
The following are recovering from surgery or dealing with an illness: Kathy Adams, Cathie Copley, Yvonna Caillouet, Jane Berryman, Danny Bates, Debbie Lancaster, Bessie Shepard, Sarah Rogers, Rachel Rogers, Jimmy Mathis, John Ed Hooten, Lindrell Barrett, Major Thompson, Susan Campbell, Bonnie Runions, Jack Lowery, Gabriel Roberson, Sheryl Elkins, Richard Tate, Henrietta Rochelle, Jeff Denton.
Please Pray For:
Thank You
A Bridal Tea You are invited to a Bridal Tea for Crissy Anna Talley, bride elect of Paul Dressler, August
28, 2016 from 2-4 P.M. at the Outreach Center.
Spotlight on…. Our New Deacons
The Family of Lula Mae Gilliam writes: “Thank you so very much for the beautiful wind chimes in memory of Mom. Also, thanks to all the members who provided food for the meal after her burial. That is such a nice gesture of love & concern for the family. Lovingly…” Ethan & Alisha Skelton write: “We would like to thank everyone who has blessed us with gifts, advice, and words of encouragement as we begin our journey of forever. We are so thankful to have a great church family full of wonderful people who will always support us ! God has truly blessed us ! Thank you all !
...We express our sympathy to the family of Varden Blackwell who passed away. He was the grandfather of Lee (Cassidy) Orton.
Fg Memorials
...a Memorial has been given to the Day School in memory of Lula Mae Gilliam by John & Rose Gromos. ...a Memorial has been given to the Camp Meribah Scholarship Fund in memory of Lula Mae Gilliam by th following: Shirley DeVore , Gary & Becky Gatewood. ...a Memorial has been given to the Day School in memory of Varden Blackwell by Karen & Gary Phillips.
Camp Meribah Board
The Camp Meribah Board will meet Sunday, August 28th at 5 P.M. in the Library.
Eric, Amanda, Elijah, Jackson & Walker Mayberry
1304 Hwy. 100 West Centerville, Tennessee 37033
Eric will be serving on the Harvest Time Outreach & Facilities &
Grounds Ministries, and serving on the Camp Board.
There will be a Children’s Advocacy Meeting Sunday August 28th @ 4:30 PM in the chapel.
Children’s Advocacy Meeting
Off To College... Please inform the office of your students who are off to College or Military this fall. You may do so by calling 931-729-4201 or
