Pumpkin Fellowship Pics

The 5th Annual YP Pumpkin Fellowship was very enjoyable. Thanks Sarah for the pics. More to come...........................

Happy Halloween!

What A Church Should Be Like

This is a great example of an active Church reaching out.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERksOq9fU0E

You Tube Wednesday

If you haven't seen this... well, consider this your introduction to the craze that is sweeping the nation. 1.1 million viewers can't be wrong. Jesus is My Friend!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-NOZU2iPA8

Happy Birthday Mike

Happy Birthday to my little brother. My fishing partner and good friend. I enjoy our early Saturday morning philosophical discussions down at the river. I hope you have a great day!

Keeping Up With Today's Younger Generation

The living church is constantly challenged to stay in tune with the culture it tries to reach. This can be a burden. How do we remain true to the Bible we’ve properly hallowed while adapting to new things which bring perpetual disturbance to the patterns of the long-term members? An immediate problem arises when the established church puts a learning freeze on the Bible and then maintains a protectionism of the thirty-five verses it prefers. This is dishonest and much of practicing Christianity is just that. This brings me to the 25 year olds and younger. Their bent is experiential. This factor is why American Idol has the viewers text their vote ultimately deciding the winner. Today’s younger generation wants in on the action. One may note cable news systems asking for your text in response to a question. Experiential. This is a huge challenge to the “sit still and be quiet” established church when truly wishing to draw today’s young. To them, church has no experience except one: pure boredom.

We churches need to get a grip on this dilemma because it isn’t the culture that needs to adjust. The church of the Bible is anything but dull. It is robust, surprising, mysterious, and often noisy. The church of Christ was the most happening place in the community. Such isn’t the case now. We have studied and organized ourselves into “the” most boring venue on our streets. Often a hives outbreak causes more community response. If you happen to be one who truly ponders how to bring life to your congregation, a start would be to bring life to your congregation. Put life into it. Quit focusing upon order so much and avail activity (experience) to your membership. God’s people are basically creative but some churches stifle the gifts within. Sit down, be quiet, and say amen is not the picture of the early church. Maybe we should change us.

Terry Rush

Order of Worship

Welcome

Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

Wonderful (2x)
162 All Hail the Power of Jesus name (vs 1,2,4)
You are Holy

Philippians 2:5-11 (from New Century Version)

221 Jesus, Name above All Names
222 There's Something About that Name
579 Praise the name of Jesus

Prayer

John 6:48-51

Wonderful Merciful Savior
Communion
Collection

Matthew 16:13-16
180 Jesus Is Lord
590 Jesus is all the world to Me

Lesson

943 Do You Know My Jesus

Announcements

602 Nobody Fills My Heart Like Jesus

Prayer

Politics at Church

How involved should the church be in politics? My hunch is that most will be in the middle on this topic.

My personal view having a very political job, I believe the Church should stay out of the political arena. I don't want to hear any political messages being preached from any pulpit. I have God's Word that leads me in my decision making process. I don't need to hear someones opinion on who is better McCain, Obama or Nader on a Sunday morning.

It's sad to think that thousands of pulpits across America the past few months have been slamming candidates instead of worshipping God.

Baggage

I really enjoyed the first lesson in the new series Baggage that Gary and Kevin introduced on Sunday evening.

So many people are burdened with a load of emotional “Baggage.” You know what “Baggage” is--it’s the stuff from our past that we carry around in our soul. It’s the words people said and the things people did that still haunt our minds and seem to limit our potential. It weighs us down. It crowds our relationships. It causes us to stumble through life.God wants to take the “Baggage” off our shoulders so we can be free from its bondage forever. Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28) The Lord invites us to come to Him and “check” our baggage once and for all.But how do we rid ourselves of the emotional pain, past memories and the addictive habits that come with “Baggage?”

More to come……………….

The Bible and the Diamond Ring

A married lady was expecting a birthday gift from her husband. For many months she had admired a beautiful diamond ring in a showroom, and knowing her husband could afford it, she told him that was all she wanted. As her birthday approached, this lady awaited signs that her husband had purchased the diamond ring. Finally, on the morning of her birthday, her husband called her into his study.Her husband told her how proud he was to have such a good wife, and told her how much he loved her.He handed her a beautiful wrapped gift box. Curious, the wife opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the wife's name embossed in gold. Angrily, she raised her voice to her husband and said, 'With all your money you give me a Bible?' And stormed out of the house, leaving her husband.

Many years passed and the lady was very successful in business. She managed to settle for a more beautiful house and a wonderful family, but realized her ex-husband was very old, and thought perhaps she should go to visit him. She had not seen him for many years. But before she could make arrangements, she received a telegramtelling her that her ex-husband had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to her. She needed to come back immediately and take care of things. When she arrived at her ex-husband's house, sudden sadness and regret filled her heart. She began to search through her ex-husband's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as she had left it years before. With tears, she opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. Her ex-husband had carefully underlined a verse, Matt 7:11, 'And if you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father, who is in heaven, give what is good to those who ask Him?' As she read those words, a tiny package dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a diamond ring, with her name engraved on it -- the same diamond ring which she saw at the showroom. On the tag was the date of her birth, and the words.'LUV U ALWAYS'.

How many times do we miss God's blessings, because they are not packaged as we expected? Do not spoil what you have, by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.

Happy Birthday Brian

23 years ago today, on a cold Sunday morning, in York, Nebraska, Brian Lee Carriger arrived to change our lives forever.

In about 4 months his life will really change as Allison becomes his wife. Enjoy your birthday trip to Edmond and Happy Birthday!

Love,

Dad

Order of Worship

Announcements
Prayer
Worship Leader: Josh Yoho

440 Glorify the Lord with Me (sing through twice)
417 Where He Leads I'll Follow (vs. 1 & 3)
410 He Leadeth Me (1 & 2)

Prayer

278 Victory Chant
269 Thomas' Song
344 Low in the Grave He Lay

Lord's Supper
Offering

570 A Beautiful Life

Lesson

Inv.- 218 Blessed Jesus

Other Announcements

Closing song- 779 I Love You, Lord

A Friday Prayer

Occasionally

Lord, most of all today I’m thankful
that you keep our hearts tender enough to see our sins—at least occasionally.
Because if it were left up to us, Lord,
we would most likely go on forever deluding ourselves about our goodness and our badness.
We would much rather pay attention to our struggles and conflicts
than confess our sins.
And you know how much more fun it is for us to describe
embroider and proclaimeach other’s sins than to admit our own.

Were you watching and listening, Lord,
when we decided—
maybe thoughtlessly—
to rid our conversations
our teaching
our preaching
our worship
and our practice
of any thought or reference to our sins?
Did you notice when we stopped confessing our sins?
When we stopped asking for your forgiveness?
And each other’s forgiveness?

Grant me, and each of us, Lord, the grace to see ourselves in light of your truth.
Deliver us from our daily temptation to excuse ourselves from the
cleansing rituals of confession and repentance.

Deliver us, O Lord, from
spiritual make-believe.
Love us into light even when, mostly when
we would rather linger in the darkness.

Shine your bright, revealing, blinding
will on us so we may begin to see ourselves
as you see us. Then, please, Lord, rescue us
from ourselves. Have mercy on us, O Lord,
and forgive the sins we see and confess.

Via Highland Oaks COC

The Open-Minded Christian

The Bible makes it clear that many people rejected Jesus because he presented new teachings that did not fit within the context of their traditional doctrines. Only people with an open mind could recognize Jesus and accept his teachings. We have seen this in our study of the book of Mark that the scribes and the Pharisees were not open-minded, and in their arrogance they rejected the Living Christ when he stood before them in the flesh.

Over the years I have realized the importance of having an open mind and avoiding the arrogance of thinking your religious teaching can tell you everything there is to know about God, Jesus and spirituality.

One might say that Jesus came to renew religion and to pull the people of his time out of their mental boxes, their stifled, rigid approach to religion. Perhaps it is the role of the Living Christ to always pull people out of their rigidity, to challenge them to expand their understanding and to think outside the box?

When I look at Christianity today, I see clearly that many modern Christians have become as rigid and stifled as the people who rejected Jesus. I pray that I will always search the scriptures and be open to new ideas and keep an open mind when I talk with those that are Christians but might not necessarily think the same way that I do.

Tough Halloween This Year!

Don't Lose Focus

Don't Lose Focus
by Mike Barres

Years ago, I realized that it is really hard for me to watch television and talk with my wife. I would begin to talk with her, and then when she started talking to me, I would begin watching the television again. I would lose my focus in the conversation. Now when we begin to talk, we turn the television off.

It's hard to keep our focus on the important things in our lives -- conversations with our spouses is just one example, here are a couple of others that may be even more dangerous.

In the news recently, a story mentioned the possibility of a train engineer using his phone for text messaging just prior to that train wrecking. This seems to be a common and growing problem with text messaging. There have been problems with text messaging during school by students. There have been reports of people text messaging while they are driving -- some states have laws that prevent using cell phones while driving for calling or for "texting." These kinds of things make it difficult to stay focused on the task at hand -- driving safely. It is easy to get distracted.

Recently a friend told me that he was driving down a road that ran along a river. Looking out of his window, he saw someone catching a fish. He was so interested in the fishing that he wrecked his truck. He lost his focus on his driving.

The Holy Spirit has said:
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV).

The phrase that says, "looking to Jesus" is often translated "fixing our eyes on Jesus." We must keep our focus on Him. We can't lose focus on the Lord!

But it is so easy to take our eyes off of Jesus. So many things can distract us these days. We are reminded to "lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us." Losing our focus causes us to get tangled up in things that we shouldn't and worry about things we over which we have no control.

The consequences of my friend wrecking his truck were serious and could have been deadly, all because he lost focus. The same is true with each of our lives. Let's keep our focus on Jesus. Let's take our relationship and walk with Him seriously.

We must learn to discern the distractions that the devil brings along and ignore them and say "No!" to them. These distractions may be sin, they might just be activities that take us away from things that we know that the Lord wants us to do, or they could be worries about things going on around us. However, we must stay focused on Jesus, His Word, and His Kingdom!
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness ..." (Matthew 6:33), "looking unto Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2).

http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200810/20081011_focus.html
(c) 2008 Mike Barres

Order of Worship

Friend Day
October 12, 2008

Welcome/Announcements (Roger Hamm)

Scripture Reading: Psalm 18:1-3 (Kevin Johnston)
63 I Will Call Upon the Lord
103 He Has Made Me Glad
Prayer

Scripture Reading: 1 John 4:9-11 (Kevin Johnston)
379 If That Isn’t Love
Communion
Contribution

Kevin Johnston:
Scripture: Luke 18:15-17 People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. But Jesus called for them and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it."

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-5 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, " Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a child, whom he put among the, and said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me."

Children Songs
Dismiss 2x2

Song Jesus You’re My Firm Foundation
Message The Feeding of the 5000 (Evan Burdan)

Invitation: 781 Thank You, Lord

Announcements (Roger Hamm)
Closing Prayer

Friend Day Sunday

Dear Central Member:

Have you seen the cartoon of the two little girls at the bus stop, chatting as they hold their personal planners? One says: "Okay, I'll move ballet back an hour, reschedule, gymnastics, and cancel piano . . . you shift your violin lesson to Thursday and skip soccer practice . . . that gives us from 3:15 to 3:45 on Wednesday the 16th to play."It’s sad that our lives have been dictated by palm pilots, personal planners and schedules. The technology and information age has forced our society to run at a rapid pace throughout the day where we don’t have any time to just slow down and talk and visit with friends, neighbors and sometimes even our own families.Jesus had time to stop and visit with people. In His fast paced life, he took the time to meet the needs of others.On Sunday, October 12, Central will be celebrating Bring A Friend Day, a day set aside to invite a friend to worship. Spend some time this week praying for an individual that you would like to invite to worship and class on that day. Then take the time and slow down and visit with that person and allow our enthusiasm and the power of God in our lives to tell them about the great family at the Central Church of Christ.

We will begin Friend Day with Bible Class at 9:15 a.m. A short period of fellowship at 10:00 a.m., then worship beginning at 10:30 a.m. We will have a cookout at noon (hamburgers/hotdogs provided). Please bring side dishes to share with the family and friends. After our lunch, we will have a short devotional around 1:00 p.m. to end the day.Be in prayer for Friend Day as well as be in prayer, also, for our friends.
May God be glorified in our efforts!

The Elders of the Central Church of Christ

"He Came Home, But..........."

When the prodigal came home … there was a hug, a kiss, a pair of sandals, a robe, a ring, a fatted calf, and a celebration waiting on him. I am sure that his welcome home included a hot bath and a haircut. By the time of the “Welcome Home Son” party began, his makeover was complete … no more stench or stain from the pig pen, only the haunting memories in the runaway’s heart.

However, sometimes when the prodigal comes home, a hot bath and a haircut will not remove the stains or consequences of those wasteful years. Sometimes … there are legal consequences that remain on account even when the sin consequences are blotted out.
How do you “deal” with that brother?

Well, first … you treat him how the Father would. Welcome him home! Celebrate that the one that was lost has been found … the one that was dead is now alive. We want this brother to KNOW that we agree with God … and that we are going to “forgive” him … “comfort” him … and “reaffirm” our love him, so that he will not be overcome by “overmuch sorrow”.

Then, of course, we want to “Barnabas” him. Barnabas means “son of encouragement”, and that is exactly what Barnabas did for Saul … as he helped him find his place in this new fellowship.

Consider (Acts 9:26-31, NIV): “When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles.” In being Saul’s advocate Barnabas helped the disciples to begin to trust this new brother, reassuring them that he (Barnabas) believed that Saul really was a disciple … and he helped Saul by standing with him, reassuring him that he (Barnabas) believed it and that he would help Saul convince the rest of the disciples.

Such an encourager - advocate - friend is needed by any brother or sister, who is coming home - but especially by those who have some residual consequences. Jesus accepts that role (1John2:1-2) … and would be pleased if we would see fit to do the same.

Now … such a role is not without risks, because the disciples still might not trust … and the prodigal might falter and fail again. Therefore, the “Barnabas brother” must be one who is strong in the Lord (for the Lord) … for it is the strong that “bear with the failings of the weak“. And though it is a difficult task and even a treacherous place - “caught in the middle” - it is needed by more people than we want to acknowledge. They wait outside the fellowship - outside the celebration - waiting for someone to “Barnabas” them inside.

Rex Boyles

Stats

This year's Pew Religious Forum study is out, and it found:

• 57% Evangelicals who said they believe many religions can lead to eternal life
  
• 68% Americans who said there is more than one true way to interpret the teachings of their religion
  
• 14% Americans who cite religious beliefs as the main influence on their political thinking

SOURCE: Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life

Knowledge of Ourselves

Knowledge of Ourselves

by Lynn Anderson

Heartlight

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

(Romans 2:1-6)

Dear God,
It is true that people are usually the quickest to judge others over the things they themselves are likely to do? I knew a man who was continually condemning President Clinton over his infidelity and indiscretions, yet it later came out that he had several affairs and ended up leaving his wife and children for another woman.

There is a saying that I like: “Our suspicions of others are aroused by the knowledge of ourselves.” So as I inspect myself, over what types of things do I tend to judge others, and what is it that is in me that causes me to do this? I guess there are two things that I judge people most about. First, I judge people if I perceive them to be too religiously zealous and not tolerant enough of others who aren’t at their spiritual level. I am also judgmental towards those who ignore their families in the name of wealth, achievement, power, or even God.

“Our suspicions of others are aroused by the knowledge of ourselves.” As I think about these things, I think they come more from my personal wounds and experiences than they come from my own tendency to sin in this area. At the same time, my tendency is to rebel against both of these areas in my life to an extent that I become obsessed with not being like them and I pursue the sin in the other direction. For example, I realize now that one of my sins is that I still sometimes try to feel good about myself and the man I am by making sure that my family adores me. I will sacrifice and do whatever it takes to pursue their love for me. But what ends up happening time and again is that I end up finding my self-worth in their love for me and I make myself my God instead of you. Others look for their self-worth in work, church, civic involvement, etc. These are the people I judge. But I am as guilty as they are.

Father, give me a vision for loving these people. Give me a heart that reaches out to them and meets them where they are. Make me your representative to them. Help me to put aside my arrogance and approach them with your love and to see them with your eyes. Forgive me for pursuing my own glory. I want only yours.

Fireproof

There is a new movie out that looks at divorce from a Christian perspective. Here is the plot from a new movie called Fireproof...................

Lt. Caleb Holt lives by the old firefighters adage: Never leave your partner behind. Inside burning buildings, it's his natural instinct. In the cooling embers of his marriage, it's another story.

After 7 years of marriage, Caleb and Catherine Holt have drifted so far apart that they are ready to move on without each other. Yet as they prepare to enter divorce proceedings, Caleb's dad asks his son to try an experiment: The Love Dare.

While hoping The Love Dare has nothing to do with his parents' new found faith, Caleb commits to the challenge. But can he attempt to love his wife while avoiding God's love for him? Will he be able to demonstrate love over and over again to a person that's no longer receptive to his love? Or is this just another marriage destined to go up in smoke?

FIREPROOF is the third feature film from Sherwood Pictures and the Kendrick Brothers—the creators of FACING THE GIANTS. FIREPROOF will have audiences of all ages laughing and crying as they are inspired by this story of perseverance and commitment.

http://www.outreach.com/print/articlem.asp?article_name=p-FireproofHome&sid=48E40F001F79E17F