June 29, 2022

PRAYER REQUESTS

•  Terri Apgar: “Thanks to God for His provision of safety and inspiration during Toshiko’s and my trip to Israel; and thank you for praying for us.”

•  Jim Blue: “I pray that the Lord teaches me discernment in my life’s choices between good and evil. Amen!!”

•  Follin Clark: “Comfort for the Shepherd Family. Their toddler drowned in their pond.”

•  Russ and Vickie Cook: “Please pray for our son, Corey. He is having colon cancer surgery Wednesday.” (Update: The doctor said that it did not look like cancer, but would send it to pathology to find out for sure.)

•  Lisa Cooper: “I need your prayers please for my aunt, Ronna Burton, who is suffering with sciatica. Also, for my son’s father, Steve Pockrus, who endures excruciating back pain.”

•  Cathy Farless: “Please pray for safe travels for my son, Chris, as he travels home from San Diego.” (Update: Chris made it safely to Huntsville.)

•  Melanie Gipson: “Pray for my friend, Angelia. She has been sick with stomach problems for a year. Finally having a colonoscope tomorrow (Monday, June 27^th) to see what’s going on.”

•  John Kuhn Family: “We want to thank all who came and celebrated with us yesterday (Saturday, June 25) and those who made treats. We learned yesterday (Saturday, June 25) many invitations did not arrive, even the groom’s grandfather. We’re very sorry and wish you all could have been with us.”

•  Dawn Long: “I’m having a sinus procedure done on June 29. Please pray for its success and recovery.”

•  Jared McCall: “Pray that my priorities are centered around Jesus instead of my own.”

•  Lance and Jodi Moore: “Please pray for Jodi’s uncle, Jeff Davis, and her aunt, Linda Meeker.”

•  Paula Pope: “My mom, Rhonda, has an appointment on Wednesday (June 29) to check on her right big toe for infection to see if it went into her bone due to a cut on her toe. Her kidney doctor had her on antibiotics, which she finished this week. Pray for good results.”

•  James Ryans: “Praise God! I was able to accept a job offer this week. I will start August 1^st, Lord willing. Thank you all for prayers, food, encouragement, and job hunting.”

•  Jennifer Seal: “My mom, Okhui Brown, travels to South Korea to visit her sister. Please pray for safe travels and for her sister who is in the hospital.”

•  "Please ask the congregation to be in prayer about the current situation of civil unrest in Georgetown, Guyana. This morning, protests and small-scale rioting occurred in Georgetown. Some of Cheryl's and Kishore's distant relatives had to abandon their places of business and flee for safety. Their businesses were ransacked. Kishore and Cheryl have talked to the relatives, and they are safe and unhurt. Cheryl and Kishore have also talked to their daughter, Kelly, who, with her husband and child, live in Georgetown and they are not in danger. According to the relatives, the situation has calmed somewhat but there is still volatility. Let us be in prayer for leaders and citizens to look to God for guidance."

•  Mothers-In-Waiting: Karin Bell (11/3).

•  Our Shut-ins: Amelia Biser, Jamie Cole, Ted Moore, Mary Etta Neiland, Sheril Townsley, and Herb Underwood

•  Our Missionaries: Denisovs & Rahimovs (Tomsk, Russia), Kishore Etwaroo Family (Port Kaituma, Guyana), Carlos & Linda Eguizabal (Juayua & Salcoatitan, El Salvador) & YOU (Huntsville Area)

CONGRATULATIONS

Our congratulations to Adam and Breanna Baucum, who are the proud parents of a boy. Isaac Michael was born Tuesday, June 28^th, weighing 7 pounds 4 ounces. Grandparents, Mike and Debbie Baucum, aunt (Amanda Coleman), uncles (Andrew Baucum and Alex Coleman), and cousin (Emilia Coleman) are excited about his arrival.

Our congratulations also to James and Mishaella Ryans, who are the proud parents of a girl. Malia Joy was born yesterday weighing 5 pounds 14 ounces. Mahogany is excited about being her big sister.

ICE CREAM SOCIAL

Come celebrate The Etwaroos with us on Sunday afternoon, July 3^rd, at 3:30! As this is the last Sunday we get to be with them, we want to offer an opportunity for everyone to come by and show them our love for them.

We are asking anyone who is willing to share their homemade ice cream or dessert – (ok, Costco or Sam’s can be considered “homemade” for those who wish) – to bring it to the gym that afternoon and spend a few minutes with Cheryl and Kishore. They will be leaving at 5:30 to go to the His Way graduation. So don’t be late!

Lemonade and water will be provided.                     

From the Mission Committee

JOIN IN ON THE FUN!

Everyone is invited to join in on the fun this Friday, July 1^st, at beginning at 7:00 p.m. You can either play volleyball in the gym – or if you’re not into volleyball, bring your favorite card or board game and play in the Fellowship Hall. You can also just come and enjoy the company of all. Drinks and snacks will be provided.

SUNDAY ASSEMBLY (10:15 AM)

“Spiritual Vision for Life”: June 26 through August 28

The Old Testament tells the true story of a time in which the kingdom of Aram was at war with the kingdom of Israel. Aram was to the northeast of Israel, but its army had advanced deep into the heart of Israel’s territory. Aram’s army surrounded Dothan, the city in which the prophet Elisha had been staying, and Elisha’s servant was alarmed: “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” Elisha replied, “Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Upon Elisha’s prayer, God opened eyes of Elisha’s servant to see the hills full of horses and chariots of fire. After Elisha prayed again, God blinded the eyes of the Aramean army. This event had a happy ending that is told in 2 Kings 6:8-23.

This historical account is fundamentally about spiritual vision and how it impacts our lives. As Christians, we are called to “live by faith, not by sight” and to “regard no one from a worldly point of view” (2 Corinthians 5:7, 16). So, do we see things the way the world sees them, or do we see things from a spiritual point of view? In this series, speakers will present lessons on several topics to help us think spiritually and see spiritually.

Week	Date	Topic	Speaker
2	July 3	Spiritual Vision for God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit	Allen Wright
3	July 10	Spiritual Vision for Our Purpose in Life	Tom Reynolds
4	July 17	Spiritual Vision for Ourselves	James Ryans
5	July 24	Spiritual Vision for Others	Daniel Alavi
6	July 31	Spiritual Vision for Money and Possessions	Chad Dickey
7	August 7	Spiritual Vision for Marriage and Family	Larry Rice
8	August 14	Spiritual Vision for Work, Retirement, Entertainment	Steve Lowery
9	August 21	Spiritual Vision for the Church	Jack Gibbs
10	August 28	Spiritual Vision for Our Total Life	Tom Reynolds

SUNDAY ADULT CLASS OPTIONS (9:00 AM)

Summer Term: June 26 through August 28

1.   “Spiritual Vision for Life” (Family Life Center)

Each week, this series examines the same topics about spiritual vision that will be presented later in the assembly. Content is generally organized around three questions: 1) What is a worldly point of view? 2) What is a spiritual point of view? 3) How does this affect our lives? The format will be small-group discussion, each one led by pre-selected teachers who have prepared on these topics.

2.   Women’s Ministry (Library; Coordinators: Sue Underwood and Kim Story)

This class provides Bible-based content in a LIFE Talk setting and is set up to minister to women who are the head of their household and women whose husbands are not Christians. Women of all ages and situations are welcome who wish to participate in this ministry. The class is generally organized to alternate between Old Testament and New Testament books, topics, and ideas. However, prayer and sharing are also integral parts of the class. As participants begin to apply the teaching to their own lives, they are invited to openly share burdens with one another. This is so that others who have walked that path previously can share their own experience and wisdom on how to face that situation faithfully. While two ladies provide the principal oversight for the class, a number of ladies from within the class will be encouraged to lead individual sessions, usually a week or two at a time.

WEDNESDAY ADULT GATHERINGS (7:00 PM)

Summer Term: June 15 through August 24

1.   Designed for Happiness – The Beatitudes: An Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-12) (Family Life Center; Teacher: Allen Wright)

“A Christian shouldn’t be concerned with happiness,” the man said. “He should only be concerned with Christian joy,” he continued with a sour look on his face. Why is it that Christians are accused of being miserable? If we are free from sin, if we are saved from punishment, if we are at peace with God and loved by him, it would follow that we would be happy people. My question as we look at the Sermon on the Mount is, “Just how happy are you?” If you struggle with happiness and you are more comfortable with anxiety and fear, then this study is for you. In 11 weeks, we will only have time to cover the first 12 verses of chapter 5 of Matthew but what goldmine there is in these verses! There is a slight possibility that we might get into being “Salt and Light” (5:14-16) but no promises. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86363371603?pwd=cjM1bmFxZ0kyTU5SR1VQUlN2QlpOZz09

Please Note: This class is being recorded. You can access it by going to the centralfamily.org website and it will be under the "Media" tab.

2.   Practicing Personal Bible Study (Library; Facilitator: Gregg Rigney)

As a follow-up to last quarter’s inductive Bible Study class, we will be meeting this summer to engage in either a Biblical book or topical study of the group’s choosing. The format is anticipated to be mostly class-participatory, rather than a teacher-led lecture. Participants will want to do reading and study during the week to contribute to their own and the group’s learning. Attendance of the inductive study class will be helpful but not necessary.

3.   Overflow Praise and Worship Gathering (Room 200; Coordinators: Daniel Alavi, Gerry Binford, and Rodney Keeton)

An optional gathering is offered during the 7:00 pm class time. This gathering is intended to be both outreach and encouragement focused. It is designed to reach new members, “Covid” displaced members, visitors, and anyone seeking a time of praise and worship on a Wednesday evening. In an effort to be sensitive to younger families who cannot stay late on Wednesdays, this gathering will start promptly at 7:00 pm and finish at 7:30 pm. Anyone wishing to stay until 8:00 pm can do so and fellowship with one another.

During this time, there will be singing, prayer and Scripture reading centered around spiritual disciplines. All are welcome to attend!

If you already attend a Bible class or small group on Wednesday evenings, please continue to do so! If not, feel free to join us in Room 200.

MEN TO SERVE – JULY

Chair Set-Up – Joel Moore’s Team

Counting – Yocus Jones’ Team

Ushering – Yocus Jones’ Team

ACTIVITIES

June	13-5	Etwaroo Visits at Central
July	1	Everyone – Open Gym Night (7:00 pm)
	3	Family Ice Cream Social (3:30 pm See article.)
	5	Teens’ Higher Grounds (6:00-9:00 pm)
	8	Everyone – Open Gym Night (7:00 pm)
	12	Teens’ Higher Grounds (6:00-9:00 pm)
	15	Everyone – Open Gym Night (7:00 pm)
	19	Teens’ Higher Grounds (6:00-9:00 pm)
	22	Everyone – Open Gym Night (7:00 pm)
	26	Teens’ Higher Grounds (6:00-9:00 pm)
	29	Everyone – Open Gym Night (7:00 pm)