Beautiful One

The new worship music that has been written during the past few years is powerful. It truly describes the Beautiful One!

Beautiful One
by Tim Hughes

Wonderful, so wonderful
Is Your unfailing love
Your cross has spoken mercy over me
No eye has seen, no ear has heard
No heart could fully know
How glorious, how beautiful you are!
Beautiful One I love
Beautiful One I adore
Beautiful One my soul must sing

Powerful, so powerful
Your glory fills the skies
Your mighty works displayed for all to see
The beauty of Your majesty
Awakes my heart to sing
How marvellous, how wonderful You are
You opened my eyes to Your wonders anew
You captured my heart with this love
Because nothing on earth is as beautiful as You
My soul, my soul must sing
My soul, my soul must sing
My soul, my soul must sing
Beautiful One

copyright 2002 Thankyou Music/MCPS

Help Us Remember

Heavenly Father,

Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.Heavenly

Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.

Author Unknown

100 Year Homecoming Celebration

In June of 2009, the Central Church of Christ in Topeka, Kansas, will be celebrating 100 years of service to God and Northeast Kansas. The Homecoming Committee is preparing a very special weekend and wishes to contact everyone who was a former member of the Central Church. If you would like to be added to the mailing list for future updates and information on this Homecoming Weekend, please send your name and address to the following location: Central Church of Christ, 1250 SW College, Topeka, Kansas 66604; or call: (785)233-6157; e-mail address: "Central Church of Christ" <centcofc@swbell.net>

Tulsa Soul Winning Workshop

The Tulsa Soul Winning Workshop begins today at the Tulsa Fairgrounds.

Self Awareness

The range of what we think and do
Is limited by what we fail to notice
And because we fail to notice
That we fail to notice
There is little we can do
To change
Until we notice
How failing to notice
Shapes our thoughts and deeds

–R. D. Laing

Spring Sing 2007

Last weekend Spring Sing at Oklahoma Christian was another outstanding production. Brian played Jack in his club skit. Just glad he didn't have to play Jill!

Spring Break

Happy Spring Break from Kansas!

Order of Worship

Order of Worship
Sunday, March 18, 2007

Welcome:

60 He is Exalted

Jesus, You’re My Firm Foundation

167 Hosanna

Prayer:

Scripture: Romans 5:1-2 and Ephesians 1:18-19a

Wonderful, Merciful Savior

Lords Supper

Contribution

I Love You Lord

I Stand in Awe

Message Evan Burdan

Invitation 768 Jesus, Let Us Come to Know You

Announcements

429 Oh, to Be Like Thee (Verse 1 Only)

Closing Prayer

The Shield of Saint Patrick

Shield of Saint Patrick

I bind unto myself today
the strong name of the trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One,
the One in Three.

I bind this day to me
forever by power of faith
Christ's incarnation,
His baptism in the Jordan river,
his death on the cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spiced tomb,
his riding up the heavenly way,
His coming at the day of doom
I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself today
the power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch,
his might to stay,
his ear to harken to my need,
The wisdom of my God to teach,
his hand to guide,
his shield to ward,
The Word of God to give me speech,
his heavenly host to be my guard.

Christ be with me,
Christ within me,
Christ behind me,
Christ before me,
Christ beside me,
Christ to win me;
Christ to comfort and restore me;
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ in quiet,
Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
I bind unto myself the name,
the strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
the Three in One,
and One in Three,
Of whom all nature hath creation,
eternal Father, Spirit, Word;
Praise to the God of my salvation,
salvation is of Christ the Lord!

Elders-Deacons Meeting

Presiding: Bill Carriger
Present: Allen, B. Carriger, D. Carriger, Hamm, Myers, Souder, McCooy,Bruening, Burdan, Smith Todd

Opening Prayer: Ron Bruening,
S/R - Jn. 13:2-17

Treasurer's Report - Ed McCoy - Assets = $213,290.93, Av.
Weeklycontribution = $7,181.72
Congregational Development fund is vailable for developmental needs. Somehouse repair can come from this fund.

Review of February Minutes

Agenda Items:

1. Deacons' Meeting Report - A good meeting was held on 3/4/07. They wentover the budget. Discussed items needing attention, areas to helpcongregation and areas to help the shepherds. It would be good for deacons to be aware of the elders prayer list, where appropriate, for their prayer and help. How we are doing on our 07 goals, and what can we do to help. Discussed the need for 2 Sunday morning services, the need to plan ahead for adult class improvement. It was suggested we bring in someone to help withEvangelism training.

2. Ministry Reports. a. Ron Bruening (Benevolence) reported on Feb. & March needs.
b. Evan Burdan (Involvement) No report. c. Mike Farrar (Special Events) Absent. d. Kurt Johnston (Multi-Media) Absent. e. Ed McKinley (Budget) Absent. f. Bryan Phillips (Finance) Absent. g. Steve Shatto (Senior Saints) Absent. h. David Shinn (Nursing Home/shut-ins) Absent. i. Scott Smith (Youth) Carl took 4 or 5 high schoolers to OC last weekend, several tested for scholarships. WInGS is planning another garage sale onApril 28, and is requesting youth help to distribute advertisement in theneighborhood. j. Joe Todd (Building & Grounds) Date for work day to be announced. Plan to clean up back yard of 1260 & place some fine rock there. Need dump truck West wall in nursery has been repaired. Scott reported that hot water & a new sink have been installed in the nursery & hot water to the cry room bathroom. k. Carl Wheeler (Worship) Absent. l. Roger Hamm (Children's Ministry) The Nursery update is coming well. New tables & chairs are here for 2 yrs-3rd grade, plus children's worship room. There are future plans for new tables & chairs for 4th-6th grade classes. A new summer VBS schedule entitled Metamorphosis (June 6-August 20 Wed. eve.) was handed out. 3. Youth Minister - Clete Ross & wife are coming April 7th on a 6:05 flight from Dallas to KCI at 7:55 am. An Agenda needs to be planned. Several suggestions were made for his time here and meeting with kids and parents. Included was a time for Clete to speak some on Sunday morning after Evan's lesson. They are to leave KCI at 5:55 pm. Sun Eve. 4. Other Items -David Carriger announced that LeAnn Valerius has interest in serving as a possible summer intern for our girls this Summer, and Scott smith repoted possibly Brian Bell will help with the boys. He sent out a letter to high school students & parents about Mark Barone coming March 25 and April 22. Ron Bruening is thinking of organizing a once a month men's luncheon. He saw Mike Wyatt and enjoyed a good visit. Jerry Myers - We need to help find a good job for Mike Farrar. Rex Allen - Helen Owens called this evening after her doctors appointment. He feels she has a liver disease, possibly hepatitis. More tests on Tue. of next week. Please pray for her. Scott Smith visited Robert Goodrich, found out they worshipped with relatives in Cal. Gary Souder - read a letter from the local neighborhood historical group about our property status. Roger Hamm - What do we want to do about our Jr. High class. They are meeting by themselves now. Ed & Sandy McKinley are the current teachers. They would step down, if someone better wanted to teach and energize them. 5. Prayer Requests - Helen Owens, Lucille Rosenlund, Mike Farrar & family, Mike & Jamie Wyatt, Scott Smith Family, the Clete Ross family, Burdan family, Tommy Thompson and others.
Closing Prayer - Joe Todd

Seven Days to Live

When some celebrity dies—such as Princess Diana or Anna Nicole Smith—filmmakers often scramble to put together a documentary that examines the last hours or days of that person's life.

What if you knew you had only one week to live? What actions, what priorities, would be captured on film?

Passion Week—the last week of Jesus' life, before he faced a criminal's execution on a cross—was an extraordinary week. Jesus knew he was going to die in seven days. He knew it would be an excruciatingly painful death. But there's much we can learn from what Jesus taught and from how he acted during that agonizing week.

Beginning Sunday in our YP/College Class we will examine the Events Leading Up to the Crucifixion of Jesus. We will not just look at the events, but look at the emotional side of Jesus and His followers.

Please join us for the study beginning next Sunday at 9:15 a.m.

March Madness

Who are you picking to go to the final four? I’ve got Georgetown, Kansas, Florida and Ohio State. I’m picking Georgetown and KU in the final.

Some of my upset picks are: Butler beating Maryland. I’ve got Vanderbilt beating Washington State. Creighton beating Nevada. And I’ve got Tennessee beating Virginia. (Just for you mom).
On the Women's side.......I hope Oklahoma can make a run at the championship, but watch out for the Duke Ladies!

Disappointment

One of the great benefits I received from playing basketball was the opportunity to learn to deal with disappointment. You work all season long, full of hope that the work you put in will pay off and allow you to play for the championship at the end of the year.

But guess what happens? The year doesn’t turnout like you expected. Maybe injuries or the team just didn’t gel like you thought it would. Instead of playing for the championship you have a long frustrating season.

Disappointment is written all over your face. Frustrated, because of all the hard work and long hours you gave to become the very best that you could.

Disappointment can cause us to lose confidence in God's ability to care for us, making us afraid to try again. Why do it again, I’m going to fail.

A good friend of mine always says that the disappointment that we experience today prepares us for greater opportunities later in life. God gives us those difficult times to prepare us for future success.

How Shall the Young Secure Their Hearts

My years at York College were very special and very faith building. When you leave the house after 18 years with your mother and father teaching you all about life and the “ups and downs” that take place in the world, I’m glad I decided to take the 8 hour trip from Broken Arrow to the “cold tundra” of York, Nebraska.

The people at York are the very best. Their dedication to the college is unbelievable. Their desire to touch the lives of young adults is even more amazing.

Being a father of two boys, one chose to attend Oklahoma Christian University three years ago and my senior in high school this year will be making the trip to the east coast to attend SUNY-FIT in New York City.

As a dad, you worry if you have taught them everything they need to know. Not just how to make it in this competitive world but how to be a faithful Christian in a world that is heartless and consumed with so much negative influence

As a dad, you desire so much more for your kids than what you had. Not just the aspect of a good job, but the Christian opportunities that will arise. There is no doubt that Brian has experienced many Christian opportunities at OC. With a university and college centered on Christ, he has experienced a great environment to grow his faith.

But with Craig, it will be different. One that I’m a little envious of. He will be in a definite mission field but will have a great opportunity to minister to so many different types of people. He will be attending church where Jeff and Santhi attend in New York City. He will be able to worship with others that live in a city with millions outside their door that need Christ in their daily lives. Talk about vocational ministry!

My daily prayers have started for Craig. Not just Craig, but for all our Central seniors who will be leaving their mom’s and dad’s in less than three months and beginning their journey of faith that we pray will lead them to a life of service and fulfillment throughout the world.

The Missional Church (Part 5)

“Missional spirituality requires that God’s people be captured by His heart for people, that our hearts, be broken for what breaks His, that we rejoice in what brings Him joy (Luke 15)”

“Churches that understand the realities of the present future are shifting the target of ministry efforts from church activities to community transformation”

The Present Future
Reggie McNeal
2003

The Trouble with Traditions (Continued)

The One-Hour Service

This has almost become a sacred cow. I read in the Bible that Paul preached past midnight. I don’t think they met at 11:00 p.m. We honor this tradition for the most part, but we need to realize it’s not a matter of scripture.

We do this more as a convenience. Many times we could use more preaching and teaching time as a body. Do we give our visitors a true sense of what the church is all about during a sixty-minute service?

I encourage all of us to leave our watches at home this Sunday and really concentrate on our praise and worship to our Heavenly Father.

Lord, Make Me An Instrument of Your Peace

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

AMEN

st. francis of assisi - 13th century

A Long Week

The past week has been a busy one for me. It started with getting the stomach flu and being down for a couple of days. Then it was sub-state basketball where the OCHS Girls lost in the finals in overtime. Then a friend of ours (adopted grandparents of Brian) passed away in Omaha. It has been a blur and will continue this week before finally slowing down, I hope, after OC Spring Sing this weekend.

Busyness is definitely the problem I deal with daily. The problem is my job demands my attendance at evening activities or meetings. When the Super is gone, everyone takes notice. And because of this, it prevents me from some of my favorite things: being with my family and being with my church family. Living 50 minutes from Church is tough when meetings or emergencies arise.

I would appreciate your prayers this week.