SYMPATHY
1919 June Lowe 2010
We wish to express our love and sympathy to Alice Salter and the rest of the family
of June Lowe who passed away last Wednesday morning. June was a long time
faithful member at Central. Funeral
services were held Friday, May 7 at Walker Funeral Service Chapel with Robert Prater officiating.
AMONG FRIENDS
With Robert Prater
After
World War II, a group of German students volunteered to help rebuild an English
cathedral that had been severely damaged by German bombs. As work progressed,
they became concerned about a large statue of Jesus, whose arms were
outstretched and beneath which was the inscription: “Come unto Me.” They had particular difficulty trying to restore the
hands, which had been completely destroyed. After much discussion, they decided
to let the hands remain missing and changed the inscription to: “Christ
has no hands but ours.” The work of Jesus Christ in the world is in the
hands of those who belong to Him. As the song depicts: “Christ
has no hands but our hands, He has no feet but our feet.”
It
is the basic truth of that phrase that Paul emphasizes in Romans 12:4-6 when he
writes, “For as we have many members in
one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and
individually members of one another.
Having then gifts differing
according to the grace that is given to us, let us use
them…..”
The
context of Romans 12 is the obligation of every Christian to individually offer
his body as a “spiritual” sacrifice to God (vs. 1-2). The list here (vs. 6-8) obviously includes
non-miraculous functions. (ministering, teaching
exhorting, giving, leading, showing mercy) In fact the only one in the list that demands
a miraculous measure is prophesying.
Later,
Peter also uses the term “gifts” to apply to the non-miraculous functions to
which we are all responsible. “Each one should use whatever gift he has
received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various
forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it
as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with
the strength God provides…” (1 Peter 4:10-11b) Notice here as well that the gift is from the
“manifold grace God” and the ability to use the gift is that which “God
supplies.”
It
seems clear that Christians today do receive spiritual gifts from God. These gifts are different from the temporary
miraculous spiritual gifts that were given to 1st century Christians
through the laying on of the apostles’ hands. (That is a separate study). But the Spirit of God continues to energize
and articulate the body of Christ in spiritual functions by human abilities through
the power of the word of god. “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good
pleasure.” (Phil. 2:13)
Indeed those who have these abilities have acquired them through the
influence of the Spirit through the Word of God.
No
gift or ability, spiritual or otherwise, is of value if it is not used. I read of a retired farmer in a small prairie
town in Saskatchewan, Canada, who owns a large collection of rare and valuable
violins. It is highly unlikely that
anyone will play those marvelous instruments as long as they are simply stored,
protected, and admired. But in the hands of accomplished musicians, those
violins could be making beautiful music to inspire and bless countless
thousands of hearers.
It
is infinitely more tragic that many Christians keep their spiritual gifts
stored, rather than using them to serve the Lord who gave them the gifts. How are you using what God has placed in your
hand? He has no hands but your hands to do His work today.
--Robert -- (robprater@sbcglobal.net)
CENTRAL
INVOLVEMENT SHEETS
Periodically we need to update Central’s membership
involvement forms so that our elders, deacons, ministers and other ministry
leaders will know who is willing to help out in certain areas of service. (Example:
Door Greeter, providing food for funerals, hosting teen events, leading
prayers, serving communion, teaching Bible classes, etc.) The forms will be available Sunday in the
foyer and at all the exits in the auditorium.
Each member is encouraged to complete and return their form to the
church office, an elder, minister or place in the tray in the foyer. We are hoping for 100% member participation. We need every member to be involved in at
least one ministry area. Thank you for
your willingness to serve in this congregation.
PRAYER CONCERNS
Anita Hinson was admitted to Unity Health
Center on Thursday of last week. She was
dismissed on Saturday.
Anita Jacques’s granddaughter, Elizabeth Brookhart, continues to do well
following heart surgery to replace a valve.
She wishes to thank everyone for their prayers and concern.
Dennis Jones’s dad, Darrel Jones, remains in Kindred Care
ICU room 9.
Joyce Kelly has been moved to room #15
at Golden Rule.
It was so good
to see Fred Bowers and Barbara Vanlandingham in services
Sunday.
Please keep in
your prayers the people who have lost so much in the recent tornados. Several
members from surrounding area congregations have received a lot of damage
including Bob Stephens brother, Chris and his wife, who lost their home
and our Aaron Rowley who had severe
damage to his car at the Love’s Store on I-40. Also, several members at
Highland have suffered severe damage to their homes and property.
CONTINUING PRAYER CONCERNS
Ruth Autrey, Chad Beard,
Fred Bowers, Harold Carothers, Juanita Combs, Harold Decker, Earl Finch, Louise
Honaker, Dennis Jones’ father, Darrell Jones, Joyce Kelly, Nadine Magee, Vesta
Mays, Aubrey McNutt, Thearlene
Morris, Rachel O’Neal, Maxwell Parker (newborn nephew of Kacy
Kinsey), Polly Reese, Alice Rice, Millie Riley, Sarah Smith, Dorothy
Strickland, Marlene Wadkins, Pat West, (sister of
Ruby Holt), Emma White, Iva Williams (Mother of Cathy Rose). All these members and friends have continuing
health concerns or other special circumstances.
They appreciate your interest and prayers.
Please continue to pray
for our family members and friends serving in the armed forces.
Youth News
Bob Stephens
COMING EVENTS
May 23, High School Senior
Reception honoring Molly Gettle and
Kenton McGalliard
June 4 & 5, Annual Mystery
Trip
Burnt Cabin Camp is June 13 – 19. Applications are available on the
youth bulletin board and foyer!!!!!!!
LOOKING AHEAD
May 16, Search: “Where Are
the Dead?”
May 23, Search: “Were You
There?”
May 23, High School Senior
Reception honoring Molly Gettle and Kenton McGalliard
May 30, Search: “Should I
Be a Church Member?”
June 6, Wedding shower for
Lindsey Perry
& Matt Borcherding, 2-4 fellowship room.
REPLINISHING COATS, ETC.
Our coat
supply for children thru teens, as well as a supply of hats, scarves and gloves
was depleted at the last coat give away.
Please remember this when you are out and about. Garage Sales will be in full swing very soon.
LAST WEEKS RECORD
Bible School 135
Worship Service 245
Sunday Evening 106
Wednesday Evening 123
Contribution 4,714.07
SERVING THE CONGREGATION
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Announcements: Steve Kelly
Opening Prayer: Jim Cross
Song Director: Michael Michener
Scripture: Chad Beard
Sermon: Robert Prater
Closing Prayer: Glendon Combs
SERVING AT THE LORD’S TABLE
NORTH
SOUTH
Scott Perry Paul Harris
Bob Bivins Jim Carpenter
AT THE BACK OF
AUDITORIUM
Keith Lawrence Tracy Gettle
USHERS
Gene Norton Frank Romberg
GREETERS
Foyer: Gene & Dorothy Norton
Elevator: Frank & Rita Romberg
ASSISTING OUTSIDE ELEVATOR DOOR
Geoff Root
PROJECTION CONTROL
Bob Stephens
EVENING WORSHIP SERVICE
Opening Prayer: Clavin
Norwood
Song Director: Michael Michener
Sermon: Robert
Prater
Closing Prayer: Ron Taffe
AT THE LORD’S TABLE
NORTH SOUTH
Jon Merritt Robby Kinsey
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SERVICE
Classes for all ages
Devotional: Carl Weeks
Song Director:
Craig McKnight
VAN DRIVER
Tracy Gettle
If unable to serve this week, notify
Frank Romberg – 273-1297