4 Stages of Life

You believe in Santa Claus
You don’t believe in Santa Claus
You are Santa Claus
You look like Santa Claus

Graduation

Brian and Allison at OC Graduation on December 14.

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

My Christmas Wish List....for Christmas Dinner

Have you made your Christmas Wish List yet? I really don't have anything that I want this Christmas except the most important part of the holidays.....dinner. Here's my list Deb..............

1. Ham
2. Scalloped Potatoes (Craig's favorite)
3. Fried Apples
4. Home made Bread (I will make the bread)
5. Green bean Casserole (Church of Christ Favorite)
6. Boiled Custard
7. Peanut Brittle
8. Carrot Cake
9. Stuffing
10. The most important item....A long winters nap!

Merry Christmas!

Order of Worship

Welcome

Joy To The World

O Come, All Ye Faithful

Silent Night, Holy Night

Prayer

O Little Town Of Bethlehem

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

Message by Gary Souder

Reading

Invitation

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Why Did My Savior Come To Earth

Communion

Contribution

Go, Tell It On The Mountain

The Blessing of Christmas

One of my favorite comments on the holidays came in a sermon that Bob Russell preached once. He said, "It is a rare person who, when their cup overflows, can stop and give thanks without complaining about the size of the mug."

No matter how bad one's life is...they are blessed. Do you agree?

Happy Holidays!

Feeding of the Flock

Today is the day that Debbie and I enjoy. It's our Christmas Open House for USD 420. We cook and prepare for weeks and feed all of our school employees. It's a great time, but one that is a huge undertaking. I appreciate Deb's hard work in planning and preparing all the food.

I really understand how the disciples must have felt when the crowd became hungry in Matthew 14.

By the way....we did not serve my catfish!

Baby, Do You Know?

Baby, Do You Know?
by Rubel Shelly

Baby in a manger, do you know how far you traveled to be here tonight? Do you remember what you left behind? Do you realize that you created the world you are visiting? Do you know you made the universe you passed through to get here? Can you possibly have any idea tonight of the price you will pay for coming to Earth? Tiny baby, do you know that there have been rumors about your mother because of your birth? Is your sleep distrubed tonight by the knowledge that those rumors will haunt you throughout your stay among men?

Do you know what agony Joseph went through before he decided to claim you and to let you be known as "the carpenter's son"? Baby, can you tell me the identity of your real Father? Can you say his name?Do you know that your six-month-old cousin John will become a preacher, too? Are you aware that you will some day ask him to baptize you? Do you realize that he wil die by having his head cut off? Do you know that shepherds who live nearby are on their way to see you tonight? Do you chuckle that angels you knew in heaven sent them to find you? Baby, are you aware that Magi from a great distance are already traveling this way in search of you? Do you know what gifts they will present you when they arrive a few months from now?

Do you know already who will love you before they have even heard of you or seen you? Holy child, do you recognize any of these names: Anna? Peter? Herodias? James? Pilate? Do these places make you think of anything tonight: Egypt? Bethany? Jacob's well? Golgotha? Do you realize what is at stake for the entire human race with regard to your birth? Is it still in your mind that your coming signals the moment of decision for every one of us? Do you know where Jerusalem is? Can you possibly have any idea of what awaits you in that city? Do you want to go there? Are you anxious to get it over -- and go back home?

Do you know me? Are you aware that I love you? Do you know tonight that you have been born to be my savior? Does it register for you now that my life will be directed at every critical juncture by halting and imperfect attempts to do your will? Do you know that we will be together in heaven forever? Baby in Bethlehem, newborn from Mary's womb tonight, do you know who you are?

Can you possibly have any idea tonight of the price you will pay for coming to Earth?

The YP/College Christmas Party/Devo

On Sunday night, the Young Professional/College Class had our class Christmas Party and Devotional at the Souder’s. What a great time we had laughing, sharing, eating and singing. Gary and Ruthann always make the holiday party a fun and enjoyable evening.

We had a great crowd and enjoyed some good focus time on what Christmas should be all about. The Christmas story is one that is told each year but one that is forgotten very shortly after the holidays.

I pray that you will find a way to keep the story of Christmas alive each and every day. Maybe it’s by giving to someone that doesn’t have what we have. Maybe it’s giving some time or listening to the troubles and heartaches that many have during this time of the year. Maybe it’s reconciling with someone.

The aspect of joy and peace are important in the Christmas story. May God richly bless you and instill within you the blessing of the season.

A Milestone

Where does time go? Twenty-two years ago in York, Nebraska, God blessed Debbie and I with our first son, Brian. God has definitely been with Brian throughout his entire life. At the age of 12, we about lost him from an infection caused by a ruptured appendix. He still deals with health issues as a result of two surgeries and three weeks in the hospital. He was told by the doctors that he would never be able to play sports, but by his junior year in high school he was given the clearance to play the sport he loved, basketball. God then was with him as he went on to Oklahoma Christian University and met Allison and got to play JV basketball. Friday, after 3 1/2 years, Brian graduated. It was an exciting day for Brian and our family. We really didn't know if he would reach this milestone when he was 12 years old as he was lying in a hospital bed. We praise God for all that He has done in his life.

God continues to bless Brian today. Brian has always had a desire to be in law enforcement and will begin his career tomorrow as a Deputy Sheriff in Anderson County Kansas. As parents, we are so proud of his pursuit of his education, his desire to serve people in the career that he has chosen, his special girl at OC and his love for God.

Joy to the World

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

A Christmas Reflection

"It might be easy to run away to a monastery, away from the commercialization, the hectic hustle, the demanding family responsibilities of Christmas-time. Then we would have a holy Christmas. But we would forget the lesson of the Incarnation, of the enfleshing of God—the lesson that we who are followers of Jesus do not run from the secular; rather we try to transform it. It is our mission to make holy the secular aspects of Christmas. And we do this by being holy people—kind, patient, generous, loving, laughing people—no matter how maddening is the Christmas rush…"


Andrew Greely

Ice Storm

Please be praying for the 500,000 Oklahoma residents without power. This ice storm could be one of the worst ever.

Holy Wonder

The shepherds were overwhelmed at the angel's announcement. They experienced holy wonder.

How can you engage in holy wonder? Maybe that means you stop in the middle of your shopping, sit down, and read the Christmas story. Maybe that means you gather your children around a Nativity scene each night and unwrap a different piece and talk about the role it plays in the Christmas story. Maybe that means you wake up early one morning and find a place you can watch the sun rise as you meditate on Luke 1:79.

The work of holy wonder is treasuring and pondering the fact that God invaded planet Earth on a perilous rescue mission. Amidst all the activity, stop and treasure all these things. Ponder them in your heart. Engage in some holy wonder.

Mark Mitchell

Sunday AM Services Cancelled

Because of the slick roads and sidewalks morning services have been cancelled. Evening services currently are still scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Letter from Jesus about Christmas

Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town. Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am Jesus and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember : I LOVE YOU,

JESUS

Bible School Teachers

Last night, as I sat in Bible Class, I couldn’t stop thinking about how blessed we are at Central to have good Bible Teaching.

I appreciate Evan and Carl sharing their hearts and God’s Word each week. I appreciate Kathy and her ministry volunteers working with our children. Thank you Nathan for sharing the message of Christ with our teens.

Many congregations our size can’t find enough teachers to fill all the teaching positions. We are truly blessed to have many quality teachers.

Encourage them. Pray for them. Build them up.

The main component of a successful Church is the teaching ministry that takes place.

My Daily Prayer

Dear God:

So far today, I have done all right.
I have kept my mouth shut.
I have not gossiped, yelled or lost my temper.
I have not been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or over-indulgent.
I am glad about that.
But in a few minutes, God, I am getting out of bed.
From then on,
I'm probably going to need a lot of help.
Thank you.

In Jesus Name,
Amen.

Get Ready...Christmas is Coming

The month of December! For a school administrator, we call it the “15 longest days of the year” because of the many Christmas activities we have each day and night. Looking at my calendar, I have an activity each evening. From the traditional K-5 Christmas Program, 6-8 Holiday Concert, three holiday band concerts and a high school holiday choir concert, a jazz band holiday concert, a high school basketball tournament that is a week long, junior high basketball games, curriculum meetings, a board meeting, site council meetings and the feeding of the 125 (Debbie and I hosting and cooking for our annual Christmas Open House for our staff)…..It seems to go on and on and on. On Friday, December 21 at 3:20, when the final school bell rings, I usually then begin to get in the Christmas spirit.

I have had a tradition of working late the last day of school. I make sure all the buses get the kids home safely, teachers and staff are out of the buildings, principals are gone and custodians are locking up the facilities. After all that is done, I walk the halls at the schools and listen to the quiet.

December can be such a hectic and stressful time for people. Especially children. The kids today have so many uncertainties in their lives. Many have no idea who they will be spending Christmas with. Will it be mom who lives here or dad who lives in Kansas City? Will I get any presents this year? Dad doesn’t have a job and mom is sick and the hospital bills are piling up. Or dad is in jail and they have no idea where they will be. These are just a few of the challenges I think about during this time of year. It is difficult to be festive and cheery with those that love the holidays when you see so many that are hurting and hate this time of year.

What can we do? Prayer and giving are the magic ingredients to bless someone's life during the holidays. Here in Osage City, a small community, we have many challenges. Poverty is our biggest concern. The school, individuals, even our kids adopt families this time of year so everyone can be given a special Christmas. I am overwhelmed by the generosity that I see from our kids and staff as they pour out their hearts for families in need. Our annual high school Christmas Formal brings toys galore to kids in our community that wouldn’t receive anything under the tree if it weren’t for that special project.

Several members at Central will be in need during this season. What can we do? Pray and give. Be Christ-like and bless someone else. Adopt a family.

As I walk the halls that last day, I always thank God for giving me so many blessings. I am thankful that he has blessed me with so many physical and spiritual blessings. It’s my responsibility to give back and touch lives like Christ has done for me.

The countdown begins…………

The Hoppers

Yesterday afternoon I took Debbie to hear her favorite Southern Gospel group The Hoppers and singer Kim Hopper. It was a great three hour concert. Debbie loved the concert and got to meet her favorite singer. You probably remember her and the family if you watch the Gaither Homecoming videos. The Hoppers are famous for the song Jerusalem and Shoutin' Time. Powerful songs. They had the crowd pumped up all evening.

Big 12 Championship Saturday

Go Sooners!

Focus

For the past 6 weeks in our Young Professional/College Class we have been discussing Eternal Perspectives. Changing our focus off ourselves, and placing it on God, and the work that he has challenged us to do.

"LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath."
Psalm 39:4-5

What was your ambition in life when you were younger?

What is it today?

How would you most like to be remembered?

Most of us had dreams and desires of great wealth and fame growing up. But through the "real lessons" of life have realized that “stuff” and riches do not guarantee true happiness in life. Only a life focused on Christ provides satisfaction and peace.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21

As we enter the holiday season of giving, I encourage you to give and build relationships with people as well as build on your relationship with God. That is where true happiness can be found.

Quote for the Day

Remember what Casey Stengel the former NY Yankees and Met's Manager use to say (I believe its very appropriate for school administrators also):

"The key to being a good manager is keeping the people who hate me away from those who are still undecided."

Have a great day!

Tulsa Workshop Update

Memorial and Garnett have enjoyed over three decades of workshop partnership. As many know, Memorial Drive is taking Garnett's workshop year for '08 to give them room to weigh their future relationship with the workshop. I count Wade Hodges as a dear friend and Garnett is like a second home to me over these many years. Garnett has reached a tough decision to step away from leading the workshop. They will remain supportive and involved as they love the event as well as we do at Memorial. Wade gives the most concise explanation for their decision: The consensus here is that on the leadership level there simply isn't the passion for and commitment to the workshop that is needed to design and execute a quality program. We love the workshop. We support the workshop's vision and mission. But we feel like its time for our church to direct it's energy in other directions.

The Memorial leadership has been in prayer knowing such a possibility loomed. We had many options, including whether it is time for the workshop to cease. The future of the workshop is headed in the following directions:

It will continue until we read from God the event is no longer a needed venue.
Memorial has three highly qualified ministers in Shane Coffman, Jason Thornton, and Bobby Smith.

I will train the three in the details of workshop preparation and execution. Eventually they will take the even years as was Garnett's pattern. This will give me a much-needed break.
We four work in the same office so mutual availability for training is quite simple. While we experience complete partnership, we have differing approaches to the same work. This will give the program a good and new perspective.

I felt it important that we find those to lead who have strong hearts for evangelism while possessing such leadership strength they would not think exactly as I. We need younger minds to protect the workshop from burrowing into my rut.

I must applaud Wade and Garnett. It takes great courage to step away from what has been any famous and effective ministry when the leadership senses the call from God to do so. It's easier to cave to the pressure of rote pattern as well as fear over potential rumor. They weighed, they prayed, they concluded and they acted. It was time for them to step back. That is courageous leadership. How many ministries now burden congregations because the time had long come to pull the plug, but lazy leadership couldn't endure the pressures of such?

Garnett will remain a partner in assisting with the workshop as are increasingly more area congregations coming on board over the years. The Tulsa International Soul Winning Workshop is a desperate mission lodged in our hearts. We at Memorial sweat bullets over its direction. It takes us two years to prepare for one workshop. This means I have been working on 2008 and 2009's workshops for the entire 2007 season. I love it!

Garnett and Memorial remain positive, sweet friends. We need them. They need us. Our admiration remains mutual. Today I find it time to be sharing these decisions so you can be praying for our congregations to do God's work the most effective way possible.
Thanks to many of you for years/decades of support.

Terry Rush

God Weeps

"When God looks at our world, God weeps. God weeps because the lust for power has entrapped and corrupted the human spirit. Instead of gratitude there is resentment, instead of praise there is criticism, instead of forgiveness there is revenge, instead of healing there is wounding, instead of compassion there is competition, instead of cooperation there is violence, and instead of love there is immense fear.

God weeps when God looks at our beautiful planet and sees thousands of maimed bodies lying on the battlefields, lonely children roaming the streets of big cities, prisoners locked behind bars and thick walls, mentally ill men and women wasting their time in the wards of large institutions, and millions of people dying from starvation and neglect. God weeps because God knows the agony and anguish we have brought upon ourselves by wanting to take our destiny in our own hands and lord it over others.”

- Henri Nouwen

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving I'm Thankful for:

• my beautiful wife


• two great boys that have great dreams and goals


• that Jesus loved me enough that He still died for me


• my job (Some days)


• my three principals that I work with about 15 hours a day


• the Central church


• mom and dad


• my fishing buddy and brother


• Soft pretzels


• my new hobby.........fishing


• golf


• the YP Gang at Central


• the Central Elders


• Growing up in California


• Peace

Willow Creek Repents?

Why the most influential church in America now says "We made a mistake."

Few would disagree that Willow Creek Community Church has been one of the most influential churches in America over the last thirty years. Willow, through its association, has promoted a vision of church that is big, programmatic, and comprehensive. This vision has been heavily influenced by the methods of secular business. James Twitchell, in his new book Shopping for God, reports that outside Bill Hybels’ office hangs a poster that says: “What is our business? Who is our customer? What does the customer consider value?” Directly or indirectly, this philosophy of ministry—church should be a big box with programs for people at every level of spiritual maturity to consume and engage—has impacted every evangelical church in the country.

So what happens when leaders of Willow Creek stand up and say, “We made a mistake”?
Not long ago Willow released its findings from a multiple year qualitative study of its ministry. Basically, they wanted to know what programs and activities of the church were actually helping people mature spiritually and which were not. The results were published in a book, Reveal: Where Are You?, co-authored by Greg Hawkins, executive pastor of Willow Creek. Hybels called the findings “earth shaking,” “ground breaking,” and “mind blowing.”

If you’d like to get a synopsis of the research you can watch a video with Greg Hawkins here. And Bill Hybels’ reactions, recorded at last summer’s Leadership Summit, can be seen here. Both videos are worth watching in their entirety, but below are few highlights.
In the Hawkins’ video he says, “Participation is a big deal. We believe the more people participating in these sets of activities, with higher levels of frequency, it will produce disciples of Christ.” This has been Willow’s philosophy of ministry in a nutshell. The church creates programs/activities. People participate in these activities. The outcome is spiritual maturity. In a moment of stinging honesty Hawkins says, “I know it might sound crazy but that’s how we do it in churches. We measure levels of participation.”

Having put all of their eggs into the program-driven church basket you can understand their shock when the research revealed that “Increasing levels of participation in these sets of activities does NOT predict whether someone’s becoming more of a disciple of Christ. It does NOT predict whether they love God more or they love people more.”

Speaking at the Leadership Summit, Hybels summarized the findings this way:
Some of the stuff that we have put millions of dollars into thinking it would really help our people grow and develop spiritually, when the data actually came back it wasn’t helping people that much. Other things that we didn’t put that much money into and didn’t put much staff against is stuff our people are crying out for.

Having spent thirty years creating and promoting a multi-million dollar organization driven by programs and measuring participation, and convincing other church leaders to do the same, you can see why Hybels called this research “the wake up call” of his adult life.

Hybels confesses:
We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become ‘self feeders.’ We should have gotten people, taught people, how to read their bible between service, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own.

In other words, spiritual growth doesn’t happen best by becoming dependent on elaborate church programs but through the age old spiritual practices of prayer, bible reading, and relationships. And, ironically, these basic disciplines do not require multi-million dollar facilities and hundreds of staff to manage.

Does this mark the end of Willow’s thirty years of influence over the American church? Not according to Hawkins:
Our dream is that we fundamentally change the way we do church. That we take out a clean sheet of paper and we rethink all of our old assumptions. Replace it with new insights. Insights that are informed by research and rooted in Scripture. Our dream is really to discover what God is doing and how he’s asking us to transform this planet.

A Praying Wife

Have you ever experienced several stressful work related situations in your life all at one time? It’s hard enough to deal with one crisis at a time but having to deal with five situations that all hit at once.

What do you do?

Do you quit?

Do you say I’ve had enough?

Do you go on the attack?

Or do you do what Jesus did and go to the Father?

When you give it to God he deals with it and takes care of it. All you have to do is have faith, trust, listen and wait. That’s tough for selfish individuals like myself.

I’m so thankful for a praying wife who goes to the Father on my behalf. When a serious meeting is taking place she is praying not only for me, but peace in the troubling times. What a Christ like spirit she has. But even more than that, encouraging other wives to be praying for their husbands through the situation also.

I’m blessed to have a very special gift from God.

Thank you Debbie, for giving the ultimate gift of yourself, your love and faith in our Father!

Order of Worship

Order of Worship
Sunday, November 18, 2007

Announcements/Welcome

Scripture: Psalm 145:1-5

4 To God Be The Glory (verse 1 only)

781 Thank You, Lord

68 Give Thanks

Prayer

513 I Will Sing of My Redeemer (Verse 1 and 3 only)

Communion

Contribution

533 I Am A Sheep

537 Here We Are But Straying Pilgrims

Message-Evan

Invitation: 912 Burdens Are Lifted At Calvary

Closing Announcements

These Are the Days of Elijah

Closing Prayer

Birthday 46

Today I'm finally as old as my wife.

My birthday present......................fishing with my brother Mike at our favorite quiet spot, 15 minutes from Osage City as we look at the beautiful trees and watch the deer on the hillside.

That's a great gift!

Our New Hobby

We have enjoyed our fishing moments this Fall. Still learning about catfish and enjoying every minute of it.

Family Memories

On the west side of K-15 highway, in southern Kansas, is the big city of Dexter. In Dexter sits an old, white, two story building in the downtown area that is about to fall down.

It was the old Henry’s Candy store. When I was a kid, my grandmother and grandfather would drive us down from Augusta on a Sunday afternoon after church for homemade candy. We loved it, especially at Christmas time when they made very special candies.

Today, the candy store has relocated and is on the east side of K-15 in a newer building. They still have over 100 varieties of candy and continue to give free demonstrations on Sundays.

I took Brian and Craig there on several occasions as they were younger to show them the candy store that was made special by my grandparents. Memories of the past are so important. Memories of special family times are priceless.

We have those each Sunday here at Central when we gather as a family to worship our Heavenly Father. We share our lives - some good times, some not so good - but they are precious moments when we encourage each other and make memories that will last a lifetime.

I enjoyed reading the Thanksgiving messages from many of our members here at Central in the bulletin this month. The number one message that came out throughout all the different stories was the memories and special times we have as a family here at Central.

To become a member of God’s Family is a very easy process. The problem that so many have is, it’s a change of life. It’s a commitment. It’s saying goodbye to how I once lived and allowing God to take me and use me for his will.

The story of the rich man in Mark 10:

“And as [Jesus] was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and began asking Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.” And looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But at these words his face fell, and he went away grieved, for he was one who owned much property.”

Such a sad story because this man remembered what he had in earthly possessions and couldn’t give them up. He remembered the stuff. He remembered the pleasure he received from all that he had. It was such an important part of his life that he couldn’t give all that up and follow Jesus.

I’m thankful God has given us our minds to remember the good things and not so good things in life. It helps us on a journey towards Jesus each day. It helps us remember what Christ did for us at Calvary.

American Education Week

AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK
November 11-17, 2007

“The future of America is written on school blackboards and in student notebooks. The quality of thought in our classrooms today will determine the quality of our lives a generation hence”

Lyndon B. Johnson

As I look at the classrooms of our state, I see quality. I see students who are eager to better themselves academically and in the activities they are involved in. I see highly qualified teachers and staff who encourage students to work to their fullest potential. They spend numerous hours inside the classroom as well as outside the classroom working with students to give them opportunities that we could of never imagined when we were in school because of the advances in technology and the information highway that is available today.

Kansas classrooms are ones of quality with increasing test scores, academic and extra curricular accomplishments as well as former students achieving great success in college and university settings. Faculty and staff work countless hours to stay abreast of the latest educational methods by continuing professional training and working on advanced college degrees.

Communities encouraging school districts to have high quality academic programs. We appreciate the continued support and working relationships between school, city and business.

As we celebrate American Education Week we want to thank each individual. Because of your determination and support we can continue to be a state that focuses on academic quality and helping our students achieve great things.

David Carriger
Superintendent
USD 420 Osage City

Veteran's Day 2007

This is a picture of Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery at Point Loma in San Diego, California. As I was growing up, this was my symbol of brave Americans who sacrificed everything to give me the independence that I enjoy today. I appreciate my father, grandfathers, uncles and family who served our country so we could enjoy the blessings of the United States of America.

What If?

Have you ever thought about what if? If I could start over again what would I have done differently? Would I have the same job? Would I have married the same person? Would I have gone to college or went to work right out of high school? Would I have kids? Would I live in Kansas? Would I retire as early or as late as I did?

We sometimes ask these questions in moments of sadness, stress, rejection and difficulty.

Asking these questions is common. Many great heroes of faith in God’s Word asked the same questions about their lives. David evaluated his existence, his mission and his life as his last days were nearing.

I want to challenge you this morning to do that one thing that God has placed on your heart to do that you just haven’t made time to do.

Maybe it’s something out of your “comfort zone” that you have wanted to do but you have been scared to try. Maybe its telling that neighbor about Christ or patching up a relationship that has been destroyed many months or years ago. Maybe it’s that mission trip that I have always wanted to take but just haven’t found the time.

Find the time today!

Our Greatest Need

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator;
If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist;
If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist;
If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer;
But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.

NY City's Finest

Don't worry Brian wasn't arrested or hired by the New York City Police. Just a picture with the City's finest. He enjoyed his visit with Craig last month.

Psalm 56

Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me; all day long they press their attack.
My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride.
When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
All day long they twist my words; they are always plotting to harm me.
They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, eager to take my life.
On no account let them escape; in your anger, O God, bring down the nations.
Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll are they not in your record?
Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.
In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise-
in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
I am under vows to you, O God; I will present my thank offerings to you.
For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

A Monday Prayer

God,

Your servant is struggling. He needs Your protection so that he will not become disillusioned, negative, and bitter in the face of opposition. I ask that You fill Him with Your Spirit even more this week. May love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control ooze out of him and be noticed by all he comes into contact with today, tomorrow, Sunday, and in the days and weeks to come. Such responses will only come from you, for as a human his flesh will want to lash back, exert control, and make demands. Please help him to rise above the struggles and always be Your faithful, humble servant.

Through the power of the risen Christ, Amen.

The Hurting

This came from a friend......I can't tell you how tired I am of being sad. I'm afraid I'm not bearing all that well under the heavy weight of mourning. I fear I'm becoming the phone call you dread receiving or the party guest who constantly brings the room down. I want to have a different answer when people ask me how I'm doing, but a different answer would not be an honest one.

Hurting people everywhere. Even in the pews on Sunday.

Church Attendance

I just read a report that was released in 2006 by Reuters which states that members of the Churches of Christ have the highest rate of weekly church attendance among all religious groups in the United States of America. The rankings went as follows:

Church of Christ: 68 percent
Mormon: 67 percent
Pentecostal: 65 percent
Southern Baptist: 60 percent
Nondenominational Protestant: 54 percent
Catholic: 45 percent
Methodist: 44 percent
Presbyterian: 44 percent
Lutheran: 43 percent
Episcopal: 32 percent
Jewish: 15 percent

The Classics

I wish to make a confession. I love to be scared. I love roller coasters, I love haunted houses and I love the classic horror movies. This is the season for a good old classic this week. Here are some of the older classics I love to watch with a good chili dog, Frito's and a diet coke..............

My Top 5 Horror Classics

1. Halloween
2. Night of the Living Dead (Black and White Version)
3. Frankenstein
4. Dracula

5. The Creature From the Black Lagoon

November Sunday Morning Study

Young Professional-College Class
November Series
“30 Days to Live”

What if you learned you had just 30 days to live? How would your life be different? Is it possible to make the most of every day, right now? Join us for "30 Days to Live," as we examine life-changing situations. Once you hear what God’s Word says, you'll never look at life the same.

The Woodpecker Must Go

Technology in 1992

I was sitting in a district technology meeting last week and was thinking to myself how far we have come with technology since I began in Osage City 16 years ago.

I remember the day in 1992 when my computer teacher came to my office when I was the high school principal and told me about a new type of information source called the Internet. She thought it might be nice to have one dial up line for the high school. We would have a monthly charge of $150 just for the one computer. After listening to her proposal and checking out some of the information I decided to take the proposal to my superintendent. At first he said no and thought it was a fad, but a few days later allowed us to try it out for three months.

16 years later; 2 T-1 lines, wireless internet, 500 computers, laptops, Smart Boards, projectors, video, portable labs, palms, textbooks on line, classes on-line, clickers, and at least a $1,000,000 we have come along way.

How about church? Have we progressed as much as the school systems, business and society when it comes to reaching those outside of Christ using new technology and strategies? Or are we using the same old-fashioned ways that we always have in evangelism?

If we don’t make major changes we are not going to be able to accomplish what Christ expects of his church.

We are not living in a flannel graph society any longer.

Are You Thankful?

Dear Church Family:

With this being the beginning of the season of the year to which we pay special attention for being thankful, would you please consider the following question?"What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving season?"

If you could email me your answer by Wednesday of this week (10/24), your message will appear in our November Bulletin along with your name. I will be looking for 20-30 comments.

Please include your children by asking them for what they are thankful and their name will also appear along with their statement.

The November Central Bulletin in which this will appear will be mailed next week to most of the Central church family plus people who have lived here but have moved away and still want to stay connected with Central happenings.

Looking to hear from you by Wednesday.

Blessings / ra

David

“When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD’ -- and you forgave the guilt of my sin. “Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:3-7).

Have you noticed one of the major themes running through David’s writings? He paints a picture of utter trial and turmoil in his life, yet maintains an internal compass that always points to “true north.” Whereas most of us look for happiness based on external circumstances in our lives, David has discovered a deeper joy grounded in his inner self. Most of us strive for happiness that’s external and temporary. David teaches us to drive towards a place of deeper well-being, where we develop trust and hope in God that extends beyond our external realities.

Order of Worship

Order of Worship
Sunday, October 21, 2007

Welcome: Rex Allen

Worship Leader: David Carriger

451 Assurance Medley

452
453
454

Prayer:

Scripture: Matthew 26:26-29

365 How Beautiful

478 Nearer, Still Nearer


Lords Supper

Contribution

749 The Battle Belongs to the Lord

Message Evan Burdan

Invitation 790 Lord, Take Control


Announcements

459 Faith is the Victory


Closing Prayer

At the Cross

Alas! and did my Savior bleed

And did my Sov’reign die?

Would He devote that sacred head

For sinners such as I?

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled away,

It was there by faith I received my sight,

And now I am happy all the day!

Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine—

And bathed in its own blood—

While the firm mark of wrath divine,

His soul in anguish stood.

Was it for crimes that I had done

He groaned upon the tree?

Amazing pity! grace unknown!

And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide

And shut his glories in,

When Christ, the mighty Maker died,

For man the creature’s sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face

While His dear cross appears,

Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,

And melt my eyes to tears.

But drops of grief can ne’er repay

The debt of love I owe:

Here, Lord, I give myself away,

’Tis all that I can do.

Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross

Jesus, keep me near the cross,

There a precious fountain

Free to all, a healing stream

Flows from Calvary’s mountain.

In the cross, in the cross,

Be my glory ever;

Till my raptured soul shall find

Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,

Love and mercy found me;

There the bright and morning star

Sheds its beams around me.

In the cross, in the cross,

Be my glory ever;

Till my raptured soul shall find

Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,

Bring its scenes before me;

Help me walk from day to day,

With its shadows o’er me.

In the cross, in the cross,

Be my glory ever;

Till my raptured soul shall find

Rest beyond the river.

Beneath The Cross of Jesus

Beneath the cross of Jesus

I fain would take my stand,

The shadow of a mighty Rock

Within a weary land;

A home within the wilderness,

A rest upon the way,

From the burning of the noontide heat,

And the burden of the day.



Upon the cross of Jesus

Mine eye at times can see

The very dying form of One

Who suffered there for me:

And from my stricken heart with tears

Two wonders I confess,

The wonders of redeeming love

And my own worthlessness.


I take, O cross, thy shadow

For my abiding-place:

I ask no other sunshine than

The sunshine of his face;

Content to let the world go by,

To know no gain nor loss;

My sinful self my only shame,

My glory, all the cross.

The Wondrous Cross

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.


Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ my God!

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to His blood.


See from His head, His hands, His feet,

Sorrow and love flow mingled down!

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?


Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Friday Night Lights

For the past 21 years I have attended a Friday night football game in a small Kansas community. I have had great experiences and some not so good. Traveling to the games sometimes is difficult when you battle rain, ice and snow. There have been some great memories. Deescalating upset parents why their son didn't get to play is always a great Friday night experience as a school administrator.

As I think about those 200 football contests I think about many of the kids I have watched play on the field each Friday night. The hard work and dedication they gave to be the very best that they could so the team could have success.

This year Osage City is currently 6-0 and ranked in the top 10 in Class 3A. It has been enjoyable watching this group of senior boys develop their talents and surprise many of their opponents this year. Last week I saw a determination and a confidence that I had never seen before. A belief that we are “good” we can defeat anyone. It wasn’t a cocky attitude it was a confident and powerful belief that we can be successful. It paid off as they defeated Council Grove 42-7.

Confidence. Determination. A positive attitude. Those are keys in trying to be successful in life. Even as a Christian we need to believe that our God will supply every need that we have. That we are confident that He will see us through all the situations in life. And we are to be that positive light for this dark world. The Christian life sometimes is like a football game. Someone is always trying to defeat you and beat you down. We have a God that can help us and assure the utmost victory in life. Salvation.

You Raise Me Up

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

Praising God

When you praise God, what are some of the common experiences or awareness that create the desire in you to praise God? When are you genuinely moved in your heart, your emotions, and your thoughts to declare praise to God? What specifically motivates you to do that?

Losing Weight

Ever feel determined? Want to do something that you know you can do, but it will take work and effort?

April 22 I decided I was going to lose some weight. I got on the scales and it told me it was time to shed about 15 pounds.

No more ice cream, dr. pepper or seconds at meals.

I was determined from that day to lose those pounds.

It was hard work but in less than three months I did it. Since then I have kept it off by staying busy and eating smarter.

Any time we change directions and make a major life change it is a difficult task. It takes work to not resort back to those things that are easy and sometimes “delicious in life” but we know they are not good for us.

Why do we give in and ignore what’s best for us?

Because the flesh is weak.

Matthew 26:41 "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak"

Friday Fun

I believe I found my new career after retiring from education.
Could this be a new bowl game? The Toilet Bowl?

Think About This Today

The prodigal son.

Great story.

I love it when someone opens my mind to a new idea about a story I have heard explained hundreds of times! I heard someone say the other day the story indicates that the prodigal did not actually repent--just says he came to his senses.

I have always heard that explained as repentance, but actually he just was looking at his options and chose the best one. He did return to his father, but does that indicate repentance?

Is repentance required for God to welcome us?

Hear, believe, repent, and be baptized was what I grew up understanding.

Does that hold true with this story?

I like new ideas and slants.... makes me think.

The other two parables in that chapter have the word repent in them, but this does not.

Does God's grace require repentance before it can be granted or does it cover us "no matter what?"

Otherwise what does?

He Gave Me A Song

H. Dennis Hogue

March 23, 1942 - September 30, 2007

My heart is a little empty this morning as I write this blog. I lost a mentor of mine this past Sunday morning who was one of my Heroes of Faith in my college and young professional years in Wichita. Dennis was a worship leader, teacher, elder and encourager who reminded people often about the grace and hope that could only be found in Christ.

Dennis taught me about church. The good side and not so good side of dealing with church issues and people problems. The most important thing Dennis taught me was the love for worship. When he led worship you could see his eyes crying out to His Father giving him the glory for being a great and powerful God. How fitting that Dennis would pass away on Sunday. The Lord's Day. A day set aside for worship.

Dennis you will be missed but not forgotten. You Gave Me A Song that I will never forget.

He's Near

Ever felt trampled down by the world?

I have been comforted by these words of Jesus: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

God reminds me...He's near.

The Beauty of Worship

Jonathan Wilson writes,

"The reason we can casually assert and agree that Israel's worship is word centered and image (beauty) rejecting is because these are the portions of the Old Testament we skip over because we find them boring.

The care, precision, and standards of excellence recorded in those passages make it clear that God cares about the beauty of our worship. Indeed, beauty here really represents a call to excellence in our worship of God.

But this excellence must be crefully developed from an understanding of worship as a practice that embodies the aim, goal of the church, constitutes a community, seeks internal goods, and extends our conception of what beauty means for the church.

In a world obsessed with distorted notions of beauty and a church whose members are often wounded by those notions, the church must not deny the importance of beauty but must transform the meaning of beauty by the practice of it's worship."

Music Changes (Continued)

As I look at the past 20 years and the changes in music that the church has experienced, I believe it has brought great renewal for many churches.

For the generation that we are currently trying to reach, music is a very important part of their lives and culture.

Look at their I-pods, mp3 players, CD players, home entertainment systems, and car sound systems. They spend thousands on music and they enjoy many varieties.

As church attendance took a decline around 1990, the major issue was a modern generation that could not relate with a historic church. They wanted more for themselves and their children.

With that brought many changes to the church. Family life centers (gymnasiums), outreach (church planting in small areas outside of church buildings), Children’s Ministers and eventually, worship styles (music).

I believe that Keith Lancaster, founder of Acappella, has made the largest impact on music and the church than any other single individual in the last 50 years. His love for music and his writing ability for new church music sparked an interest in new contemporary language music for a generation seeking that for themselves and their young families. Acappella traveled the country singing with power and emotion about what God can do in the lives of His people and it signaled a change in our worship assembly as well as preaching in the church.

Other song writers from the church, such as Ken Young (Faithful Love) and Brandon Scott Thomas (Zoe Ministries), have produced new music arrangements for churches to make our worship more meaningful and contemporary for today’s society.

With this new music has brought many challenges. Some older members have been “stretched” singing the new songs. Some members feel like we are abandoning our traditions and old sacred hymns. In some churches, there have been great division and splits because of the worship music. We must be careful to keep the unity of the spirit and also allow each of our groups within the body to be uplifted and encouraged. We do this by understanding the needs of others.

In New York City, the church, once a month, sings songs in Spanish so the Spanish members are encouraged. A church in Texas sings 4 new songs and 4 older hymns every service. In a Colorado church, they sing two youth songs every service for the younger people. Many churches are realizing the need to reach every group.

The church will continue to grow in its worship. Individuals will always have “likes and dislikes” in church music. But we need to focus our energy on the one we are worshipping. It’s easy for a song leader to take a book out 1 minute before service and pick 6 songs to lead. It takes work, time and prayer to design a service that will be uplifting to all in attendance and glorify our Heavenly Father.

A Prayer of Praise

In 1 Chronicles 29 we read of David’s life coming to an end. The great leader and follower of God is about to die.

In 1 Chronicles 29 we really see the heart of the "man after God’s own heart". In his final moments he decides to praise his Father for all that he has done for him and his people.

Prayer was such an important part of David’s life.

The one thing that really is evident about David’s walk with God is his prayer life. He didn’t always ask for things, stuff or forgiveness, he spent the majority of his life praising God for the blessings, praising God for being God Almighty.

The early Church was a Church that praised God in Acts 2.

The Psalms are full of prayers of praise, worship describing God as great, full of glory and splendor.

What a great example for us.

Not just in the closing moments of our life, on our deathbed but living a life each day centered on praising our Heavenly Father for the blessings he has given us.

What are you thankful for? What should you praise God for?

Family, Health, Job, Home.

How about life itself?

Being able to have a relationship with Jesus Christ because he took our sins to the cross?

I am selfish at times thinking I can make it on my own through this every day life. But then reality comes crashing down upon me. The only way I can make it in this world is to know I have a Father that knows my every need in this life but also supplies my spiritual needs as well.

City Life

Growing up I had the opportunity to live in some of the largest cities and metropolitan areas in America: Los Angeles, San Diego, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Louisville, and Chicago. I love the city. I enjoy the fast paced 24 hour life style something to do and see every moment of every day.

The one thing that really hit me on our trip to New York recently were the people. Great people. Felt safe the entire trip. But watching people (one of my favorite things to do) I noticed they never spoke to each other. Most individuals on the subway looked down at their feet and said absolutely nothing. When the train stops, out the door they went, and on to the next subway car or destination.

I felt like these people were very lonely and isolated.

Reaching out to people is easy. We do it daily at the store, at the office, on the street. Caring for people is difficult.

We have to take a genuine interest in people. Christ did.

Come Just As You Are

Jeff Childers and Frederick Aquino wrote, "The Lord came into the world as it is, no prior cleanup necessary. In fact, he seems eager to face the world's ugliness head on.....showing us a Creator whose strategy for rescuing us out of our pain begins with a gesture of humility: joining us in it. Church isn't when you give God your best. It's when you give God what you have where you are........no clean up necessary. We don't get ourselves right and then go to God. We give ourselves to God.....and He alone cleans us up and makes us right"

Come Just as You Are
Joseph Sabolick

Come just as you are.
Hear the Spirit's call.
Come just as you are.
Come and see,
come receive,
Come and live forever.

Life everlasting,
Strength for today.
Taste the living Water
And never thirst again.

Come just as you are.
Hear the Spirit's call.
Come just as you are.
Come.

Copyright © 1993 Maranatha Praise, Inc.

Music in Worship

I was having a conversation the other day with a group of people and the discussion turned to music in the Church today.

We have seen a significant change in the last 20 years with music in the Church of Christ.

Is it a trend or have we really made much needed changes in congregational worship in the Church of Christ?

Who has been the biggest influence on these changes?

Are these changes improving our worship to God?

More later............

New Worship Series

As a child of God, you can only offer God one thing that you possess that He does not... YOUR PRAISE! The human voice is capable of making wonderful music, and it can make all of Heaven rejoice if we lift our voices together in harmony and praise the God from whom all blessings flow.

This is the idea behind the new Praise & Harmony series by Keith Lancaster who started Acappella. A blending of voices in congregational style worship to the one true Lord of all. The music in this new series will take you to the throne in worship.

Awesome God is the first first release in the Praise & Harmony series. This CD highlights more than 200 vocalists who form the congregation for this outstanding collection of 25 worship songs. As an added bonus, Awesome God includes a vocalist training CD to help you learn your part (soprano, alto, tenor or bass) on each of these great songs. This set is a wonderful teaching tool for churches and singing groups, as well as an exceptional listening and worship experience. The second CD in the series was released just recently.

As part of the Praise & Harmony series, Keith Lancaster also teaches singing seminars with the aim of equipping churches to have great four-part harmony singing, to learn contemporary songs and to have a renewal of worship.

Keith will host a seminar at the Heartland Church of Christ in Kansas City on November 17-18.


For more information:

.http://www.theacappellacompany.com/praiseharmony.html

Praise and Harmony homepage

Rosh Hashanah

With Craig attending school in New York City and the millions of different ethnic and religious groups in the city I am interested in the religious holidays that other religious bodies celebrate.

Craig arrives home today for a four day visit because of Rosh Hashanah (All colleges are closed in New York City).

Rosh Hashanah is the first and second days of the first Jewish month of Tishrei. It marks the beginning of the Jewish new year. The celebration of this holiday is marked with solemnity, as it is the day on which the Jewish people believe the whole world is judged for the coming year. Rosh Hashanah is the birthday of the world, as it was on this day that God created Man on the 6th day of creation. Every year, on this day, we proclaim God as our one and true King.

This year, Rosh Hashanah, begins on Wednesday evening, September 12 and continues through Sunday night, September 16.

Dog gets $12 Million

From Michael Vick killing dogs to Leona Helmsley leaving $12 million to her dog Trouble when she passed away last week we really need to look at our priorities as a people:

Helmsley's dog gets $12 million in will


Leona Helmsley's dog will continue to live an opulent life, and then be buried alongside her in a mausoleum. But two of Helmsley's grandchildren got nothing from the late luxury hotelier and real estate billionaire's estate.

Helmsley left her beloved white Maltese, named Trouble, a $12 million trust fund, according to her will, which was made public Tuesday in surrogate court.

She also left millions for her brother, Alvin Rosenthal, who was named to care for Trouble in her absence, as well as two of four grandchildren from her late son Jay Panzirer — so long as they visit their father's grave site once each calendar year.

Otherwise, she wrote, neither will get a penny of the $5 million she left for each.
Helmsley left nothing to two of Jay Panzirer's other children — Craig and Meegan Panzirer — for "reasons that are known to them," she wrote.

But no one made out better than Trouble, who once appeared in ads for the Helmsley Hotels, and lived up to her name by biting a housekeeper.

"I direct that when my dog, Trouble, dies, her remains shall be buried next to my remains in the Helmsley mausoleum," Helmsley wrote in her will.

The mausoleum, she ordered, must be "washed or steam-cleaned at least once a year." She left behind $3 million for the upkeep of her final resting place in Westchester County, where she is buried with her husband, Harry Helmsley.

She also left her chauffeur, Nicholas Celea, $100,000.

She ordered that cash from sales of the Helmsley's residences and belongings, reported to be worth billions, be sold and that the money be given to the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.

Her longtime spokesman, Howard Rubenstein, had no comment.

Helmsley died earlier this month at her Connecticut home. She became known as a symbol of 1980s greed and earned the nickname "the Queen of Mean" after her 1988 indictment and subsequent conviction for tax evasion. One employee had quoted her as snarling, "Only the little people pay taxes."

September 1975

My first trip to New York City was in September of 1975.

Great memories of a magnificent city.

Michael Vick

I am tired of hearing about the Michael Vick dog fighting case.

Yes it is terrible to hear of a major sports star betting on dog fighting, having dogs killed and then trying to cover it up. But the national media has been on this like a dog is on a fire hydrant.

We have serious issues in our society that need to be dealt with, but newspapers and television talk shows have had non-stop coverage about this situation from the beginning.

How about the thousands of people being killed every day in wars across the world?

How about the millions in poverty and homeless?

How about the abused children in our society?

How about the millions needing Jesus in their life?

Tolerating Pain In Leadership

One of the hardest lessons leaders face is understanding that they will from time to time upset people with the decisions that they make. We do not always get our way in family situations in the workplace and in the Church. Leaders must have broad shoulders and faith in God that they do whats best for the person the organization or the Church.

Tolerating Pain in Leadership
John Maxwell

There are many keys to being an effective leader.

In order to be an effective leader you have to be able to tolerate pain. Your own pain as well as the pain of others. Sometimes others will inflict pain upon you. You must absorb and carry it forward in order to lead. Sometimes you will be called upon to inflict pain on others for their own good or for the good of the organization you lead. If you don’t think leaders inflict pain, then go make a decision and see if anyone yelps. Sometimes you will inflict pain upon yourself when you inflict pain on others because you care so much about those whom you are leading.

Without a doubt, one of the hardest things to do as a leader is to watch people we love squirm with emotional pain because of a position we’ve taken. Most of us end up caving sooner or later and we sheepishly reverse our position or change our direction in order to dull the pain and keep the peace.

Research indicates that the reason most churches are struggling to move forward in any kind of discernible way is because their leadership is spending all their time and energy trying to avoid pain. They think the absence of pain is a sign of good leadership. Making sure no one gets hurt may be a win for a bank robber (Put your hands in the air and do what you’re told and no one gets hurt), but it’s a terrible way of judging how well we’re doing as leaders.

All pain avoidance does is delay the inevitable, which is . . .pain.

Leaders who try to avoid pain will someday be confronted with the worst pain of all, the awareness that the end result of their perpetual pain avoidance is the collapse of the organization they were supposed to be leading.

Are you called to lead? If so, and if you’re not ready to experience and tolerate some pain, then please say no to the call. Whatever organization you’re being called to lead will be better off without you in leadership. If you’re ready to deal with some pain, then step up and buckle in, because it’s gonna hurt.

Be Alert!

As Christians we are in a constant wrestling match. But our opponent is in the spiritual realm. His mandate is to "kill, steal and destroy" (John 10:10).

Scripture tells us to "be alert", "resist the enemy" (1Peter 5:8,9) be on your guard and "stand against the schemes of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11). So when problems strike ... know immediately who your opponent is ... know immediately he has schemes and plans in place that will at best steal from you and at worst destroy you and your effectiveness.

Any pervasive, downward spiral needs to be called what it is. Be alert to the red flags. Our human nature wants to defend and justify ourselves. God knows we are a selfish people. That is why He calls us to pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:44) and to do good to those who spitefully use us (Luke 6:27). (The trademark of love, remember?) Only the "God strength" in our lives, His strength invited in at our point of weakness and frustration, can remedy this battle.

"Be alert and always keep on praying" (Ephesians 6:18) When prayer is no longer the oxygen of our spiritual soul or the heartbeat the Central Church, our defense is down. Praying for those who hurt us becomes something we don't even want to do. Neglect in prayer and in the spiritual training of the Word leaves us with open doors for the enemy to turn the wrestling match on one another.

The stealing and robbing is done long before we have even recognized the enemy was at the door. Knowing he is prowling the neighborhood (even the flock at Central) keeps us in a proactive state and able to recognize and withstand his tactics.

Godliness Contributes to Happiness

Associated Press Writers
Friday, August 24, 2007


Among America's young people, Godliness contributes to happiness.

An extensive survey by The Associated Press and MTV found that people aged 13 to 24 who describe themselves as very spiritual or religious tend to be happier than those who don't.

When it comes to spirituality, American young people also are remarkably tolerant — nearly 7 in 10 say that while they follow their own religious or spiritual beliefs, others might be true as well.
On the whole, the poll found religion is a vital part of the lives of many American young people, although with significant pockets that attach little or no importance to faith.

Forty-four percent say religion and spirituality is at least very important to them, 21 percent responded it is somewhat important, 20 percent say it plays a small part in their lives and 14 percent say it doesn't play any role.

Among races, African-Americans are most likely to describe religion as being the single most important thing in their lives. Females are slightly more religious than males, and the South is the most religious region, the survey said.

The poll's mission was to figure out what makes young people happy. And it appears religion helps.

Eighty percent of those who call religion or spirituality the most important thing in their lives say they're happy, while 60 percent of those who say faith isn't important to them consider themselves happy.

Accept One Another

A baby hippopotamus that survived the tsunami waves on the Kenyan coast has formed a strong bond with a giant male century-old tortoise in an animal facility in the port city of Mombassa. Officials said the hippopotamus, nicknamed Owen and weighing about 300 kilograms (650 pounds), was swept down Sabaki River into the Indian Ocean , then forced back to shore when tsunami waves struck the Kenyan coast on December 26, before wildlife rangers rescued him. "It is incredible. A-less-than-a-year-old hippo has adopted a male tortoise, about a century old, and the tortoise seems to be very happy with being a 'mother'," ecologist Paula Kahumbu, who is in charge of Lafarge Park , told AFP. "After it was swept away and lost its mother, the hippo was traumatized.

It had to look for something to be a surrogate mother. Fortunately, it landed on the tortoise and established a strong bond. They swim, eat and sleep together," the ecologist added. "The hippo follows the tortoise exactly the way it followed its mother. If somebody approaches the tortoise, the hippo becomes aggressive, as if protecting its biological mother," Kahumbu added."The hippo is a young baby, he was left at a very tender age and by nature, hippos are social animals that like to stay with their mothers for four years," he explained.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." This is a real story that shows that our differences don't matter much when we need the comfort of another. We could all learn a lesson from these two creatures of God, "Look beyond the differences and find a way to walk the path together."

Order of Worship

Order of Worship
Sunday, September 2, 2007

Welcome

103 He Has Made Me Glad

577 We Bow Down

Jesus, You’re My Firm Foundation

Prayer

Scripture: John 3:14-17

350 When My Love To Christ Grows Weak

366 By Christ Redeemed

Lords Supper

Contribution

Dismiss 2x2

452 Standing on the Promises (Verse 1 and 4 Only)

Message Evan Burdan

Invitation 116 God Will Make A Way (Sing Twice)

Announcements

These Are the Days of Elijah

Closing Prayer

The Bread Has Been Broken

These are the lyrics to a great new song for worship:

The Bread Has Been Broken
Joe Beck, Wendy Wills

Come to the table and worship the Savior

Taste what forgiveness is for

His mercy will lead us, the grace of God feed us

Making us hungry for more

His body was given for you and for me

Look on the Cross and believe.

The Bread has been broken

Our eyes have been opened

Oh come, Lord, restore and renew

The Word has been spoken

So humble and broken

We do all in remembrance of You

The Bread has been broken

and all those who know Him

Believe without touching the scars

His death reconciled us,

we live sanctified to

Become what we already are

To Him who loves us and freed us to love

Be glory and honor and praise

All in remembrance of You

In remembrance His body was given for you and for me

Look on the cross and believe

The Bread has been broken

Our eyes have been opened

Oh come, Lord, restore and renew

The Word has been spoken

So humble and broken

We do all in remembrance of You

Oh, all in remembrance of You.

Oh, Jesus

©2005 Willow Branch Music (Admin. by Gaither Copyright Management) Rick Cua Music (Admin. by Rick Cua Entertainment) Schparkenmusik (Admin. by Rick Cua Entertainment) Yada Yada Yada Music Hootie Hoo MuAll rights reserved. International copyright secured.CCLI song #4481160

Elders Meeting Minutes

Minutes-Elders Meeting, Central Church, Aug 29, 2007
David Carriger presiding.

We discussed our pulpit minister situation and agreed (again) thatwe are more than pleased with Evan and that if HE wishes to continue we arehappy with him in his current role. He has helped us in a very special wayand we are grateful. Also, many, many members have really "stepped up" inthe last months and met the myriad of needs a congregation our size has.This has been a tremendous encouragement to us.

We are pleased with the quick progress and energy of Nathan in theYouth Minister role. He has initiated a calendar with many good activitiesfor our youth and "hit the ground running."

We all agreed that VBS this year was very well-run and a greatbenefit to our young families and the whole congregation. We commend themany who were needed to make it a success.

Several confidential matters were discussed at length.

Closing prayer -Roger Hamm with mention of many hurting sheep andsick ones.

Respectfully submitted, Jerry Myers

Watch Out for Car Salesmen and Preachers

This story was sent to me recently:

Bob and I happened to show up for coffee at the same time every morning. He sold used cars. Along with other locals, we had enjoyed this routine for over a decade. Another of the dozen or so who gathered for the day's caffeine jump-start was Ken. He was a moody man in his late 40s. Everyone knew everyone and we regularly Howdy and How are ya'd one another. The coffee version of Cheers is duplicated across America as an important thread of society.One morning grouchy Ken announced for all to hear, as Bob I were perched to his far right at the end of the counter, There are two kinds of people I can't stand: car salesmen and preachers. Whoops! I may be slow, but I think I just got busted. I looked at Bob and whispered, That's the first time I've ever heard that. How about you?, and we both smiled. I had studied Ken for some time. I really liked the man, but he seemed to live on irritability's edge.

A few days later we were the only two in for coffee; Ken sitting in the center of the row along the counter and me at my usual residence at the end of the horseshoe. It occurred to me what was eating at him. His misery dangled from his sleeves. As I moved over beside him, he muttered some acknowledgement of my presence. I said, Ken, I know what's wrong with you. Oh, yeah? What? I've figured it out. You are afraid to die. There was slight pause and then, covering his face with both hands, Ken gushed into tears. He bawled like a baby.Ken poured out his heart informing me of severe heart abnormalities and, indeed, he was scared. We had a lengthy conversation as I assured him I understood. He simply needed someone to listen; whether it be a car salesman or a preacher.

Two weeks later a sixteen year old boy called my house. Are you Mr. Rush? inquired the young man. Yes. Well, I'm calling because my dad's name is Ken and he just died of a heart attack. The other day he came home from coffee and told my mom that if anything ever happened to him, he met this preacher at the coffee shop that he really liked and he wanted to do his funeral. Would you help us? I gladly assisted the family and officiated at Ken's funeral.

Each of us possesses embedded fears. Most revolve around impending death. Everyone needs someone to care. Advice may not be sought as much as a compassionate ear. We live in wonderful; yet, complex times. Ultimately, even the most boisterous against their perception of religion are afraid to die. Unfortunately, they've sawed off all the God-limbs. Ken wasn't mistaken. Car salesmen and preachers are an odd sort. But don't let us keep you from researching the authentic hope found in the man named Jesus. We men may mislead. He can be trusted.