Our final Warmth from the Heart coat giveaway last Saturday was another tremendous day for the Lord and His church at Central. The Lord blessed us with the opportunity to help 76 families totaling around 260 people! There will be a more detailed report to come this Sunday. However, not only were we able to serve the physical needs of those who came, but we also had many opportunities to address spiritual needs. We encouraged many people to think about their eternal soul by offering prayers, giving out Bible tracts, enrolling some in Bible correspondence courses and a few interested in home studies. We were also especially blessed to have two young girls visit our Sunday evening services and to attend Children's Bible Hour after being invited on Saturday. Please pray that all of these precious souls will be receptive to the truth and God will bless our efforts for His glory.

We are thankful to so many of you who volunteered your time and worked to help make this a successful day. We once again express our appreciation to Ron and Debbie Taffe for all they have done in their labors of love towards this outreach ministry. Friends, your care and concern for the lost are true reflections of Jesus' heart. Thank you for your humble work. Thank you for the example you set.

For anyone who ever might worry that some people may take advantage of our generosity in these coat giveaways, please always remember that God's people help others not because of who they are but because of who God is. (See Micah 6:8 and Matthew 25:35-40) Of course, the greatest blessing and benefit always goes to the person who serves. The story is told about a man who was traveling in rural Oklahoma when he ran out of gas. He went to a nearby farmhouse to call a service station, but the farmer insisted on taking him to town, bringing him back and even staying with him until the car was running again. He offered the farmer $10.00, but he shook his head. When the man insisted, the farmer replied, "Look, Mister, I feel good about helping you. If I took your money you would be buying that feeling back from me, and it is not for sale."

Jesus is quoted in Acts 20:35 as saying, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Serving others fills us with a sense of satisfaction that can't be bought and must never be sold. The path to a truly joyful and abundant life is only discovered in the self-surrendered act of Christian service. Jesus also explained "the greatest among you will be your servant." (Matt. 23:11) The greatest Christians among us have been and always will be determined most by those who serve with a humble heart.

--Robert--(robprater@sbcglobal.net)

Dwyane Dennis's Sunday morning class will have a Christmas party at the home of Dwyane & Marcia Dennis, 27 Pam Drive on Sunday evening, December 18, following the worship service. Please bring snack foods and/or desserts and a Dirty Santa gift.

Kyle & Melissa Bennett announce the birth of a son born November 30, 2005 at 11:40 A.M.. He weighed 8 lbs. 5 oz and was 20 1/4 inches long. Grandparents are Larry & Sandra Birdwell and the great grandparents are James & Ellen Childers.

Dear Central, I want to thank all who visited me while I was in the hospital. Also, the phone calls, cards & especially your prayers. They were all appreciated.

Love you all, Lillie Smith

After seventeen days in the hospital I'm so very thankful to be home. I'm asking God's special blessings for everyone that said a prayer for me, visited me, or sent a card. Thank you very much.

Terry Banta has moved to 531 North Bell, Shawnee, OK 74801. He will have his new phone number hopefully by the end of the week. Please make this correction in your membership directory.

You are cordially invited to join

with friends and family in celebrating the

Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary of

on Saturday, the tenth of December

two thousand and five

from two to four o'clock in the afternoon

1936 North Union

Shawnee, Oklahoma

Your presence is our treasured gift

Fay Crosby was admitted to Unity Health Center on Friday. She is in room 220.

Carol Mahnke was scheduled for outpatient surgery on Wednesday morning at Unity Health Center.

Bernard Sharp was dismissed from Mercy Hospital last Thursday. He is home and progressing well.

Jan Shultz, sister of Cheryl Miller was scheduled for a PET scan on Wednesday to see if her cancer has spread.

Mike Martin, son-in-law of Jim and Cathy Pettyjohn has recently received very encouraging test results.

It was good seeing Hazel Lee Behrnes able to be back in services on Sunday.

OF CENTRAL MEMBERS & FRIENDS

Jearline Bates, Chad Beard, Betty Bernard, Melba Boston, Betti Boswell, Harold Carothers, James Childers, Ray Davis (Paul Harris' dad) Harold & Clydean Decker, Bill Fleming, Mary Gaines, Jack Gettle (Tracy Gettle's dad), Roe Honaker, Anna Jarvis, Earnest Johnson (Yuavonda Sperry's uncle), Mary Martin, Mike Martin (Jim & Cathy Pettyjohn's son-in-law) Don Allen McNutt, Harvey Moore, Polly Reece, Alice Rice, Millie Riley, Sarah Smith, Mary Sorensen, Chub & Dorothy Strickland, Floy Turner, Alvie Vanlandingham, Emma Wilson, Carl Worley, Viola Yates, and Verna Nell Young. All these members and friends have continuing health concerns or other special circumstances. They appreciate your interest and prayers.

I would like to thank Leslie, Nathan, Austin, Jason and Wade for helping out in Bible Hour this past Sunday. With me and Rita both under the weather, the five of them jumped in and really helped Janet out. These guys and girls, along with others in the youth group, always come upstairs on Sunday evenings to help in any way they can. And we appreciate it very much, especially last Sunday!

Kids, if you haven't signed up for LTC yet please let me know. The Sign up sheets are coming down this week. We can still get you signed up. We just need to get started on our applications.

Remember to sign up for our Burnt Cabin Retreat, December 31 - January 2. Youth group members and their families are encouraged to attend. The cost is $20 per person and the deadline is December 28^th. We don't want anybody to miss out. If the cost is a problem let me know, we can help.

We will be taking the van to the Shawnee playoff game on Saturday. We will leave one hour before the game.

"When we yield to discouragement it is usually because
we give too much thought to the past and to the future. "
Anonymous -- 8^{)