FEBRUARY 6, 2019

Those in the Hospital

Ø  Grant B. Binford, nephew of Gerry Binford, was critically shot in a home invasion in Hazel Green last night.

Ø  Suzie Hea (former member) is in ECM Hospital, Room 2319 in Florence, AL after suffering a heart attack. She is doing better, and the doctors are now saying that she will survive.

 Prayer Requests

Ø  Lorraine Baker: “God bless all my children. My daughter, Sandra, is in the hospital. Please pray for her. Thank you, Lord.”

Ø  Michael Baucum’s sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Gary Bailey, request prayers for their adult son, Austin, who is having vision problems and anxiety. They ask for wisdom and healing.

Ø  Jim Blue: “Lord, help me to LOOK for the opportunities to do GOOD to others as he asked me to do. Amen.”

Ø  Dittos: “Adam and Amber, Lily, and Kate Wood continue to show the love of God to displaced people in Greece. Keep them in your prayers.”

Ø  Ron Drain: “I would like to thank our church. May we show unity and serve others. God bless us.”

Ø  Cathy Farless: “Please pray a prayer of gratitude for helping Chris finding a job, Carrie for a safe move to Colorado, and Jason for his business success.”

Ø  Claudia Ford: “Prayers of thanks that our dad, Doyal is feeling better and is with us today!”

Ø  Chip and Laura Jones: “Asking for prayers for Suzie Hea, a former member that had a heart attack on Wednesday in Florence, AL.” (Update: “She is doing better, and the doctors are now saying that she will survive.”)

Ø  Chiana Walker: “I am asking for prayers for my family. My cousin just lost her battle with cancer Sunday, February 3rd. She was 41. She leaves behind four children and two grandchildren.”

Ø  David Walls: “I start my other new job at Holiday Inn tomorrow (Monday, February 4th). Thank you for your prayers for me.”

Ø  Terri Williams: “Requesting prayer to begin a new and more dedicated spiritual path as well as finding a new church home. One where I can be for service and dedication.”

Ø  Our Shut-ins: Cindy Anderson, Anna Brown, James Brown, Jamie Cole, Margie Gough, James Hall, Martha Jones, Sally Mans, Ted & Rosalie Moore, Johnny Powell, Louis Teague, and Bill & Sherill Townsley.

Ø  Mothers-To-Be: Jordan Gibbs (4/15)

Thank You

Mary Etta would like to thank everyone for their many acts of kindness shown to her during the passing of her brother. She appreciates all the cards from everyone and the plant that was sent from the church and the dish garden arrangement from the Sonrisers.

Wednesday Nights “Ask Me Anything” Series

TONIGHT – How does Central Approach Congregational Leadership?

Ø  Why do we have just three elders?

Ø  When do we select new elders?  What triggers this?  What should we be doing?

Ø  How are we selecting other leaders?

From the Elders

As we continue our Journey for the year, I would like to share some observations the Smith family experienced last year on vacation. We were fortunate to take a bus tour to the Grand Canyon where we saw one of God’s wonders in all its splendor and beauty, on a clear, beautiful day. When we looked out across the canyon and saw its vastness, it simply took our breath away. As we walked the outer rim of the canyon, we saw various rock strata pathway markers positioned along the walkway with plates detailing the age of each rock formation. Looking at the intricate variety of rock formations and then at the canyon, made me appreciate how imaginative, powerful, and wonderful the God who made all this must be. It also humbled me as I was, once again, reminded that the same God created man with as many intricate differences as the rock formations we saw. This was more evident to us as we passed people on the trail from all over the world, and listened to the different dialects, all equally amazed at the wonder. God made us all in his image and his likeness to be living witnesses of his love, justice, grace and mercy to everyone we meet.

As we begin week 3 of the Journey Upward, we will be focusing on the following trait:

Christian Characteristic: My Adoration and Gratitude for what God has done for me

Key Word: Gratitude

Memory Verse: Romans 8:3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.

Guiding Scriptures: See Week 3 in the Upward Roadmap

As we address our “Upward” relationship to God, by taking a closer look at the character and nature of the God we serve, let us remember that everything he does is always intentional and for our good. For God to act in any other way than what we read in scripture and experience would be inconsistent and unnatural for him. As the scripture states, “God is light (truth) and in him there is no darkness (lies) at all” (I John 1:5b).

Our prayer is that everyone will learn to accept him and lean on his promises more and more each day.                                                                               The Elders,

Chip, Ed, Richard

Meal Preparations for Friday Night Live

The sign-up list to prepare meals for the college ministry at their Friday Night Lives is posted in the fellowship hall outside of the kitchen area. LIFE Talks or individuals, please sign up. Thanks. If you have any questions, contact Carla Campbell (256) 882-6449 or (256) 665-4458.

Happy Times Openings

Happy Times is now taking registrations for the 2019-2020 school year. We have classes for 3 years old and Pre-K for 4 and 5 years old. For information about our program and tuition rates, call Debbie Baucum, 256-509-6200.

Families of Teens

There will be an important meeting Sunday, February 10th, after morning assembly in the Teen Room for all families of teens. There will be new Medical Release Forms/Hold Harmless Agreements for 2019 to sign and new business. There will be a catered meal. Please make every effort to be at this meeting.

The Vow

Central Church of Christ

2019 Marriage Retreat Schedule

February 8 – 10, 2019

Friday: Joe Wheeler

6:00 pm – Registration | Snacks & Fellowship

7:00 pm – Welcome | Overview: Explain videos, breakout sessions, Q&A Session

                   Cautionary ‘Red Flags’ comments

7:30 pm – Video #1: Vow of Priority

8:10 pm – Closing prayer | Fellowship & Games

 Saturday: Joe Wheeler

(Breakfast on your own)

8:30 to 9:00 am – Late Registration

Cautionary ‘Red Flags’ comments

9:00 to 9:35 am – Video #2: Vow of Pursuit

10-minute break – (check out if you haven’t already)

9:45 to 10:20 am – “Priority/Pursuit” Small Group Discussion (35 minutes)

10:20 to 10:55 am – Video #3: Vow of Partnership

5-minute address

11:00 am to 1:00 pm – Lunch - Groups encouraged to do lunch together | “Partnership” Small Group Discussion over a meal

1:00 to 1:35 pm – Video #4: Vow of Purity

1:35 to 2:00 pm – Summary comments & closing remarks | Closing Prayer

Fill in evaluations & submit questions for Sunday’s Q&A Session

2:00 to 3:00 pm – Free time/check out

 Sunday: Central’s Auditorium | 9:00 am – Coffee and OJ provided

9:00 to 9:10 am – Cautionary ‘Red Flags’ comments

9:10 to 10:00 am – Q&A Panel discussion

Sunday Adult Classes

This Sunday, February 10th, those who attended the Marrieds Retreat will meet in the auditorium for their last session. Any remnant in any of the classes (Young Marrieds and New Beginnings), may choose to go to the Family Life Center (General Class), Room 205 (Tom Reynold’s Class), Room 200 (College Class), or the Library (Ladies Class).

Tuesday Ladies’ Class, February 12th

Kathleen Lowery will be speaking on JESUS’ CONVERSATION WITH JAIRUS Tuesday’s class. The class meets at 10:15, and childcare is provided. Please join us for this exciting study on the Conversations of Jesus.

Nursery Servant Needed

Please contact Suzie Nance at drnance@hiwaay.net or 256-653-2508 if you are able to serve in the nursery on Wednesday nights during the months of March through May.

 

Weighted Blanket Ministry

The Weighted Blanket Ministry has completed and delivered over 14 blankets to foster families for their children! We invite you to our next work session on Saturday, February 16, from 9:00AM-2:00 PM; bring your own lunch. Come for all or any part of the time. RSVP to Terri Apgar 603-714-8642 or Della Simmons 256-288-5572. **Always needed: financial donations to purchase supplies.** Thank you to all our generous supporters!

Upcoming Teen Events

Ø  Sunday, February 10th (5:30-7:30 pm) – Teen Time

Ø  February 15-17 Senior High Teens—sign up for Winterfest NOW with $20 non-refundable deposit.

February Team Servants

Ushers—Ronald Graham’s Team

Counting—Matthew McCauley’s Team

FLC Set Up—Justin Harrison’s Team

Activities

Feb

8-10

Marriage Retreat (See schedule and article “Sunday Adult Classes”)

 

10

Families of Teens Meeting (after morning assembly. See article.)

 

 

Teen Time (5:30-7:30 pm)

 

12

Ladies Bible Class (10:15 am)

 

15

College – Friday Night Live (6:30 pm)

 

15-17

Senior High - Winterfest

 

16

Weighted Blanket Ministry (9:00 am-2:00 pm See article.)

 

17

Combined Classes with Earl Lavender (9:00 am)

 

 

Q&A with Earl Lavender (5:30-6:30 pm)

 

19

Ladies Bible Class (10:15 am)

 

22

College – Friday Night Live (6:30 pm)

 

24

Teen Time (5:30-7:30 pm)

 

26

Ladies Bible Class (10:15 am)

Mar

1

College – Friday Night Live (6:30 pm)

 

3

Teen Time (5:30-7:30 pm)

 

5

Ladies Bible Class (10:15 am)

 

8

College – Friday Night Live (6:30 pm)

Men to Serve Sunday, February 10

Communion Thoughts: Jim Ashburn

Serving: Joseph Nance, David Nance, Barrion Palmer, Andy Trapane, Dana Mercier, Mark Bowden, Alex Coleman, Darryl Floyd

Prayer: Charlie Hopkins