OU-Boise State

One of the most beautiful places to spend a Saturday afternoon during the fall at the University of Oklahoma watching the Sooners play football.

Good luck Sooners in the Fiesta Bowl!

What Makes A Great Summer

Continuing the summer theme. Ever think about what you like to do during the Hot Summer Months?

My Favorite Summer Things

1. Golf Trips with My Best Friend-Debbie
2. Family Vacations (They nickname me Clark)
3. Ending a Fiscal Year (July) with $
4. Beautiful Sunrises
5. Gardens (Fresh Vegetables)
6. Cook Outs
7. Homemade icecream
8. Spending time with Family
9. Fireworks
10. Morning runs

My Favorite Summer Things Growing Up

1. Church Camp (Palomar Mountain in California)
2. Church Canoe Trips on the Illinois River in Oklahoma
3. Youth Devotionals on the Beach in San Diego
4. Mission Trips to Apple Valley, Minnesota
5. Family Vacations
6. Visiting all my grandparents
7. No School
8. Water Parks
9. Summer League Basketball
10. A Quck Trip Coolie

Top Religious Newsmakers of 2006

Top newsmaker of 2006: Amish who modeled forgiveness after the schoolhouse murders.

Other top newsmakers:
• Pope Benedict XVI, who quieted Muslims after unintentionally angering them.
• Dan Brown and Ron Howard, author and director of the controversial "The Da Vinci Code."
• Ted Haggard, Evangelical leader who admitted to sexual immorality.
• Frank Page, surprise winner of the presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention.
• Katharine Jefferts Schori, first woman presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church.

Dreaming of Golf

One of our favorite spots in all the world. Table Creek number 6. I can't wait for our annual July golf trip to Nebraska City.

Only 6 months until summer!

The Christmas Story

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'" Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."

So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."

After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead."

So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene."

--Matthew 1:18 - 2:23 New International Version

Christmas Order of Worship

Order of Worship
Sunday, December 24, 2006

Announcements/Welcome Jerry Myers
Worship Leader David Carriger
Message Evan Burdan

Scripture: (Page 1000)

1018 Joy to the World (Verses 1, 2 and 4)
286 Wonderful Story of Love (Verse 1 Only)
997 O Come, All Ye Faithful (Verse 1 Only)

Prayer

Scripture: (Page 339) Luke 1:30-32a

387 Tell Me the Story of Jesus (Verse 1 Only)
377 He Still Came
382 Why Did My Savior Come to Earth (Verse 1 Only)

Communion
Contribution

During Contribution: 781 Thank You, Lord

167 Hosanna
59 He Is Exalted

Message “Expecting the Unexpected Messiah”

Invitation: Wonderful, Merciful Savior

Announcements

Closing Prayer

The Most Memorable Christmas

That special Christmas gift. What was it for you? For me it was that 10 speed bike in 1972. My brother and I got up at 3:00 a.m. and met the rest of our friends and rode around the neighborhood. It was a great bike. But you know what? It's gone, its history. That special gift it just a distant memory.

More than anything, God wants you to be with Him. The God who designed your world, the God who placed you on the planet, simply wants you home with Him. And to bring you home, He offers you the ultimate gift…the gift of salvation.

The gift that He wants to give all of us is more than we could ever imagine.

It’s the gift of a lifetime.

A gift that lasts forever.

It’s a gift for all people that wish to accept it.

The gift was born in a manger.

A Christmas Prayer

Dear God,
As I look through my gift shopping list,
I hold up to you each person listed on it.
Slowly, one by one,
I ask that the fire of your abundant love burn within each of them.
I pray that the gift I find for each person will bring joy into that life.
But, help me to keep a balance this season, Lord.
Let me keep my buying in perspective, not to spend more than I need to or can afford.
Let me not give in to the pressures of this world and not equate love with money spent.
Let me always remember the many, many people who have so much less in material things. Help me to buy wisely, so that my choices will not burden those in other countries who are so deeply affected by this country's economy.
And finally, loving God, help me to find time in the frantic moments of each day to become centered on you.
Walking through a store, riding on the bus, hurrying down a street: let each of these times be moments when I can remember your incredible love for me and rejoice in it.
Amen

Hymn Twelve (Unsung)

December at dusk, dinner downed and blessed, I slip on
shoes and sidle down the walk to taut drawn tangles of
cords. Two outlets take
five plugs. Pop. Twinkle lights blaze, early darkness gone
like a genesis word spoken for the kick, but fake—
electric joy and peace and love,

and the soul of man is barely sparked by my small town
deed. Next door inflates snowmen. Their eves glow blue.
A stray cat plays
in empty bushes, pawing green circuits. I wait. No sound.
In brittle oak limbs above, yellow stars are nesting anew—
God’s display.

With chest heaves, a catch, a sudden shake, I
choke down another day. Bless my tomorrow
now today is through.
I will thank You for the present sent. I vow no sorrow,
no sideways looks or rolling eyes or sarcastic words (a few)—all thankful without a sigh.

Michael P. Carriger

The Missional Church (Part 2)

This post comes from Wade Hodges, Minister of the Garnett Church of Christ in Tulsa....

Missions is the new worship.

That’s what a friend said to me the other day. I think he said he’d heard it from someone else. Since what this phrase meant to its originator is lost to us, I’m going to engage in some postmodern meaning making and tell you what it means to me.

In the last two decades, as non-denominational community churches have flourished and as denominational loyalty has given way to consumerism, church hoppers and shoppers have usually been attracted to the churches with the best worship “event.” This event would include both the music and the teaching. Both have proven to be essential to growing a large church.
Now I see things changing. Missions is becoming the new worship. What I think this means is that those in search of a new church are placing just as high a priority on the “missions” segment of a church’s life as they are on the worship event. It’s not enough to have good worship anymore, you’ve also got have a dynamic missions program. By “missions program” I don’t mean simply having a bulletin board in the lobby featuring all the foreign missionaries your church supports. It’s much more than that.

It starts locally. Have you adopted a local elementary school? Does your student ministry regularly volunteer at a soup kitchen? Have you built any Habitat houses? Are you collecting coats for the poor this winter? How many of your people went to New Orleans to help out in the aftermath of Katrina?

While traditional foreign missions is still important, it’s not enough to be sending money over to an American who is trying to plant a church in Kenya. You also have to demonstrate participation in some of the more trendy mission/social justice projects. Have you adopted a village in Africa? What are you doing to address the global AIDS crisis? How many water wells have you drilled?

It doesn’t matter how good your band is or how inspired the preaching is, if you can’t demonstrate some of the above mission activity, then church hoppers and shoppers aren’t going to take you seriously.

In our American consumer church culture, missions is the new worship.

The Greatest Gift

Friday I felt like Jesus feeding the 5000.

Debbie and I hosted our annual Christmas Open House for my faculty and staff on Friday. We cook each year for all the district employees and several community people that drop by. We enjoy the weeklong cooking odyssey and Deb tries out her new recipes on others before springing them on her toughest critic….me. The annual event, now going on 9 years, is a special part of the holiday season in our community.

I have taken up a new hobby the last couple of years….cooking. I have had a great teacher…..Debbie. She's the best in the world!

It is our gift to those that I work with on a daily basis.

Jesus gave us a gift that keeps on giving day after day after day. Forgiveness, redemption, mercy, love, hope, joy, peace, and salvation.

This holiday season, stop for a moment in all the crowded malls, busy workplaces, final exams and even stressful family situations and appreciate the gift of the Savior!

Order of Worship (December 17)

Welcome
Worship Leader: Josh Yoho

"You are Worthy of My Praise"
77 Glorify Thy Name
412 Jesus, Hold My Hand
779 I Love You, Lord

Prayer

341 Rabboni

Communion

47 Holy, Holy, Holy
100 Holy Ground
155 Highest Place

Message: Evan Burdan

Invitation- Closer

Announcements

Closing Song- 881 "Mansions over the Hilltop

Elders Meeting/Elders-Deacons Meeting Minutes

Central Church of Christ
Elders-Meeting Minutes
12-13-06

Coordinating elder: Gary Souder
Minute recorder: Rex Allen
Scripture reading:
Opening prayer: Rex Allen

Review of E&D meeting:
Mention was made of the good work that Ed McKinley has done of getting the budget power point together. It was noted that Ed McCoy is the man behind the scenes working with our finances without much fan fare.

Jerry suggested we use one of the local restaurants for the estate planning class.
Gary stated that the folks that looked at the building last week have not gotten back with him yet. They have been invited to come worship with us some Sunday morning.

Hearthstone devotional/communion
Gene Robinson contacted the church on behalf of his mother Lucille Rosenlund. There seems to have been a breakdown in the devotionals on Sunday afternoons at the Hearthstone facility and he would like us to look into what we can to help his mother with communion on each Lord Day.

Lessons/speakers:
Praise was expressed for all the work and planning that Carl and David do on a weekly basis so that we can all enjoy a meaningful worship experience.

Finalize evening services Dec. 24th and Dec. 31st
Bill Carriger and Gary Souder along with Scott and Sam Souder are to conduct the devotional service Sunday at 4:00 pm. The theme of: IS IT REALLY JUST A CHILDRENS STORY will be used.
Dec 31st will begin with special praise and worship and then those that want to stay and usher in the New Year can do that with others with snacks and games.

Individual items:

Roger stated that Russel Bell had a great lesson Sunday evening.

Gary read a letter from Justin Dauner stating that he is working with the church in France and also continuing to his preaching studies and would appreciate any help we can give him. It was decided to help him with the same amount that we helped his brother Philippe with. $2500 will be sent on a one-time basis for now.

Jim Glass is working on a grant for education for one of our members and is fairly confident that he will be successful.

Roger reported that the children’s computer room in the elementary bible department is up and running for the children to use after church services. It has been used by several already and is available for more to start using it.

Jerry reported that the young married couples would like to start a class of their own. The possibility of expanding one the rooms upstairs to accommodate them was given the green light.
Cindy Dreiling is to use the building for home school testing for three days in a few weeks

Sheep business:
Concerns and ways to encourage those that have wandered away were discussed and each elder is to take a more active role in contacting delinquent members.

Prayer concerns:

Closing prayer: Bill Carriger

Adjourned 9:45 pm





Central Church of Christ
Elders-Deacons-Ministers Meeting Minutes
12-12-06

Coordinating elder: Gary Souder
Minute recorder: Rex Allen
Scripture reading: Galatians 4:4-5
Opening prayer: Ed McKinley
Present: Rex Allen, Bill Carriger, David Carriger, Roger Hamm, Jerry Myers, Gary Souder, Ed McKinley, Bryan Phillips, Evan Burdan, Carl Wheeler

Treasurer’s report: Ed McCoy
a. Assets 171,060.49 Average Contribution 6608.86

Review of November minutes:

Deacons report:
The remodeling of the office house basement restroom was discussed. Security issues of locking the back door were talked about. Egress window has been looked into for the basement.
David Carriger suggested we install an additional light in the back yard and do some grading and filling to prevent the mud problem in the back yard.

Elder building fund proposal:
Bill Carriger brought up the elders proposal that we build into the budget the payment for an ultimate building loan of one million dollars. A twenty-year loan would result in a weekly payment of aprox. $2000 per week. This proposal will get us used to this amount and then when the building does sell we will have some additional funds in the building fund plus we will be able to show the bank our track record of being able to fund the payment. Bryan Phillips stated that we would need to have this track record for any bank to consider loaning us money when we actually need to finalize the loan. In addition we will use the amount we normally be paying our staff positions to fund the building fund as well until we find someone to fill those positions.

The building committee visited a church building in Overbrook. The ones that went said they were impressed at what they have built for 1.2 million. The auditorium seats over 700 and there was a basement under a lot of the auditorium as well as a partial second story. Everyone was glad to hear of what can be built with members helping in the work and looking at different building materials.

Youth Search committee update:
David Carriger stated that the youth committee has begun to look for potential candidates for the position of youth minister. University bulletin boards will be used plus word of mouth to several contacts. May 1 is the target date to have a youth minister secured.

Benevolence update: Ron Bruening (no report)

Old Business: Finalize 2007 budget (Ed McKinley)
Ed brought the power point of the rough draft budget he and others have been working on. Line item by line item was discussed and finalized. No mission work will be cut and we anticipate continuing to be involved in local benevolence. To fund the entire budget including the $2000 per week for the building fund and the empty staff positions will require a weekly amount of 7,702.42. The budget will be presented to the entire congregation on Jan. 7. Also in early January there will be a building committee report given.

New Business: Honor to whom honor is due
Poinsettias will be delivered to the building Wednesday 12-13-06. Members are encouraged to let these flowers remind them to write notes to members who have brightened up their life this past year.

Individual items:
Evan told us that Nick Gribnaw is getting married Feb 3rd in Oklahoma. Evan is to do the ceremony.

Evan has been asked to speak at a church function in Dallas in April.

Jerry Myers reminded us that we need to call more of the sheep that have not been with us for a while.

Rex told us that Tina Drew is moving Dec. 30th and would like some help.

Ed McKinley asked us to keep Eddie Vaughn in our prayers as she makes new adjustments.

Steve Toillion sent the message to us that when we have a bring a friend day that we might want to take that friend home with us or out to eat rather than have a function at the building.
Jerry Myers suggested that Carl and Bryan put together an estate planning class during the first quarter of the year.

Bryan expressed his optimism that there is a workable plan to finance the new building when our old building does sell.

Carl will be teaching this quarter on the book of Leviticus. Need speakers for Sunday nights for the first quarter.

Tanglewoold property in Missouri will be looked into to sell.

Closing prayer: Roger Hamm

Meeting adjourned at 10:15

Hymn Eleven (Unsung)

Somewhere, sometime, we flip eyes to a threshing floor,
drop chaff stubble under shaky foot—chaff stubble crushed
by oxen
hooves. The floor worn smooth, our hearts irrevocably sore,
and once sibilant voices now hushed
in penitent awe. Then

we reckon blessings. The Great Good Granter delivers our
daily bread, though toil sweat is always needed.
What today
we lack, we receive. Yesterday’s stores seem to sour.
When wants arise, conflicts brew, commands go unheeded,
we lose His way,

and the floor remains, waiting the coming rumble.
Gravity is God’s law. So is the sudden fall.
Like Uzzah with hands out
and up, we no-think reach to catch another man’s bumble,
the tragic tumble of good intent misdeed. Scrawledin our song voices warbles our winnowing doubts.

Michael P. Carriger

Membership versus Missional Churches

What type of Church are we?

Membership Mentality

Entitlement
Maintenance
Inward Focus
Resistance to Change
Tension Under the Surface


Mission Mentality

Outward Focus
Impatience for Traditional Practices
Are We Advancing God’s Kingdom?
Leadership Doesn’t Care About Complaints if God’s Kingdom is Advancing
Flexibility
High Expectations to Serve
High Leadership Expectations
Equip Members not to be a Country Club (Exclusive)


Are we comfortable??

85% of churches in America are at a plateau.

Big difference in just doing Church and being the 1st Century Church.

Christmas at Central

Next Sunday when you arrive at the building there will be a poinsettia placed in the auditorium to honor each family at Central. We want each family to take one home with them following the morning service on Dec 24th. You are the church and we want each one of you to know we honor and respect you for your contributions to the church family this past year. We would like each of you, if you feel like someone has blessed your family or our church family this year, to let this poinsettia remind you of that. Then write a note to that person or persons letting them know how you feel about them. In addition to this if you want to let that person or persons know that you are contributing in their honor to either Central Building Fund, Tallgrass Camp, or Christian Family Services simply let them know your intention and forward your contribution to the church office for distribution to whatever fund you would like. Whether you contribute or not is entirely up to you, but we would really appreciate you taking the time to write one or more notes to the ones you feel like honoring. Enjoy your family poinsettia and be assured that God and the Central family are honored by your work and service this past year and years past.

A reminder that morning services on December 24 will be at the regular time 10:15 a.m. An evening devotional will be held at 4:00 p.m.

Elders Meeting Minutes (December 6)

Central Church of Christ Elders Meeting 12-6-06
Present: Rex Allen Bill Carriger David Carriger Roger Hamm Jerry Myers Gary Souder

Meeting opened with presentation by Mark Barone about the work that has been accomplished this past year with Richard Brandow coming twice a month. All agreed it has been beneficial to have Richard's expertise available not only on regular visits to Topeka from Kansas City but to have him take phone calls in Kansas City and offer help over the phone. The compensation will stay the same for now with some possibility of an increase in the future.
Prayer with Mark led by Gary Souder.

Elders to meet with Dave and Braunice Jamieson Thursday night about placing membership at Central. They already have been a great asset to Central and we look forward to serving with them in the future. Dave is a manager at the Target distribution center and Braunice is a homemaker. They have two daughters, Tess (4) and Grace (6). Dave and Braunice have been very active in the work and worship at their congregation in California.

Steve Sofro met Gary Souder and two people Wednesday afternoon to look the Central building with the hope of moving a Spanish-speaking group of 160 members from a temporary worship facility to a building of their own. Steve is to follow up with an additional contact with them Thursday.

Jerry and Ron Bruening have discussed helping several families with holiday meals. Ron has been working with several individuals concerning financial assistance.

Discussed a time to visit with the Danny and Robin Packer family about placing membership.

Reclaiming sheep and shepherding calls report.

DeLeons have concerns for an Oklahoma family.

Date set to meet with Rob and Sharon Easterling about developing our library. Dec 20th was the date that was agreed upon. David is to contact them.

The young professional class taught by David Carriger is adopting a family for Christmas.

An "honor to whom honor is due" project to be announced Sunday. This will give the congregation an opportunity to honor one or more individuals that have been an inspiration to others.

It was noted that we still need to visit with Edward Zirkle concerning becoming a part of the Central family.

Discussion was held about a funding plan for the new building to be presented to the deacons next Tuesday evening.

Closing prayer: David Carriger

Adjourned 10:15

Top 10 Greatest TV Quotes

The Top 10 greatest TV quotes and catchphrases chosen by TV Land are;
1. Heeere's Johnny! (Ed McMahon, The Tonight Show)
2. One small step for man ... (Neil Armstrong)
3. You're fired! (Donald Trump, The Apprentice)
4. Baby, you're the greatest. (Ralph Kramden, The Honeymooners)
5. Ask not what your country can do for you ... (John F. Kennedy)
6. D'oh! (Homer Simpson, The Simpsons)
7. Where's the beef? (Wendy's)
8. Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis? (Arnold Drummond, Diff'rent Strokes)
9. Yabba dabba do! (Fred Flintstone, The Flintstones)
10. I'm not a crook (Richard Nixon)

I have one I would like to add for the Central Church. God is good.......All the time!

Hymn Ten (Unsung)

My ambition sparks little want for greenback
dollars, makes no plans for future White House runs.
I never
even dream of dreaming up fame, running with a rat pack,
my own entourage, glistening glitter gold in Las Vegas fun.
Like them kings, ever-

marching on Old Testament lands to conquer, there’s always more
thick walls, more rabid armies to stare down in some blind
prejudice and
bottomless hunger that are never sated. That’s never been the core
of my five, ten, twenty year plan. Since childhood, God’s mind
is what I have wanted, and

I’m thinking that alone might now be a sin. Not for unique compassion.
Not for infinite mercy, or grace, or ultimate authorship of
beginning with the just the right word.
Selfish at a crossroads in alchemy thoughts, I fashion
a new self with all mysteries made known, including love.My fire burns for answers He has blurred.

Michael P. Carriger

Is Church Important?

Strange how life has so many up’s and down’s. Sunday when I left the house for worship, I did not feel the greatest. Battling a cold. Deb too. But when I got to our young professional/college class and worship I started feeling better and better. The love and concern shown for people at Central is tremendous. Debbie and I are so blessed to be a part of your lives and hear your faith stories and pray for your needs and concerns on a daily basis.

What do people do that are not connected with a Church Family?

Well, that’s part of what my school community has been dealing with the past two days. A husband and wife were shot to death Sunday morning at around 11:00 a.m. Looks like a murder-suicide. They leave four elementary age children behind. We continue to counsel with students and staff through this tragedy. My thought when I heard about this early Monday morning was, “wonder if they had been in church on Sunday, if this would have happened?”

May God help those little ones as they begin the healing process without a mom and dad.

Shooting

Yesterday morning when the Central Church was worshipping a shooting took place in the small town in which we live that took the lives of two people. This morning four kids are without a mother and a father.

Be praying for these four kids and the school personnel that will be working with staff and students today as this community faces this tragedy.

Order of Worship

Sunday, December 3, 2006


Welcome

60 He Is Exalted

These Are the Days of Elijah

144 O Worship the King (Verses 1 and 3)

Prayer

Scripture Page 217

454 Rock of Ages (Verse 1 Only)

383 Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross (Verse 1 Only)

375 Oh the Depth and the Riches (Verses 1 and 3)

Communion

Contribution

860 There Is A Habitation

870 Beyond This Land of Parting

Message (Evan Burdan)

Invitation: Almost Persuaded

Announcements

Closing Prayer