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Hiram Farm is a facility in Hiram, Ohio which is dedicated to providing meaningful work opportunities and community support for adults with autism spectrum disorders. The group is led by Disciples paster Roger McKinney and is associated with the Christian Church in Ohio (Disciples of Christ).

Pepsi is running a contest this month to give $50,000 to each of 10 non-profit groups and currently Hiram Farm is ranked 29th out of over 400 entries.  Please consider voting at the link below, you don’t need a special Pepsi account, you can log in with your Facebook account and you can vote for Hiram Farm once a day.

SUNDAY – MAY 23^rd 2010 at  12:30 pm

CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH in the Chapel

ALL ARE WELCOME!

As many of you know, Sam Byers and his wife Jan were injured while riding to the Blessing of the Bikes last Sunday.  His friends wanted to hold a service for Sam to share their faith, offer thanks and share in prayers for a complete and speedy recovery.  Rev. David Turner of the Central Christian Church in Kettering will conduct the service and then offer the Blessing of the Bikes in the parking lot following the service.  Come as you are and join us for this service, blessing and fellowship.  All ages and faiths are welcome.

Someone once explained to me that every time you bring home something new – no matter what it is – you are tying up a little bit of yourself with that thing. There is an unspoken commitment to store, preserve, clean, and utilize it.  Therefore, the more “stuff” you have, the more of your energy is devoted to caring for it all.

Perhaps that is why Jesus told the rich young man to sell everything he had and give it to the poor. Jesus knew even though the young man desired to be faithful, he was so tied up in all his stuff even God couldn’t break through. Something radical needed to happen. The rich young man needed to get rid of his stuff so he would have room for God.

I have a pastor friend who lives in Colorado who regularly posts on Facebook when it’s trash day in his neighborhood. For him, the weekly garbage pick-up has become a reminder of the need, not only to get his trash taken out to the curb, but also to discard all of the junk in his heart and mind that are cluttering things up and getting in the way. He reminds his family and friends to do the same.

Someone once said it is difficult to open your arms to receive God’s loving embrace when you are carrying around armfuls of luggage. The first thing you have to do is let go. If “taking the garbage out” is a good metaphor for you – then perhaps it is time to do some house cleaning – literally and figuratively.

Next week, our CWF will be preparing for it’s bi-annual rummage sale at the church. It’s a great opportunity to clean out all of the stuff you no longer need or use. Not only does the church benefit, but you get the wonderful outcome of being unencumbered of unnecessary, energy draining “stuff.” It can truly be a liberating feeling!

Likewise, every Sunday can be considered a sort of “trash day,” as well. One of the reasons regular worship is so important is because it gives us an opportunity to bring all of the stuff we carry around with us and give it to God. Do you carry around anger, resentment, anxiety, or persistent feelings of sadness and despair? Do you know how much energy it takes to keep those things around? Do you realize as long as you cling to those things you don’t have room in your life for the joy and peace God wants to give you?

It’s time to unclutter your life – in more ways than one. Join us for worship this Sunday and every Sunday as we take out the trash and welcome in the freshness and life only God can provide.

On Valentine’s Day our team brought gifts of red carnations to share with the residents. We heard stories ranging from Valentine wedding anniversaries to childhood memories to the latest birthday gift of a leather bound Bible given by his son. We also listened to a stroke victim who could only communicate with her eyes since her words were difficult to decipher. The love and happiness she generated through her smile and eyes were evident and heart touching.

Visiting nursing homes may appear as a daunting task full of unknowns. However, once you participate, you realize the love and interest given by the residents far outweighs any time or effort on your part. They just want to chat, share their love for God and experience worship. They share tales of favorite hymns, family members and interest in what is happening in your life. It is an opportunity for us to deepen our spiritual nature and to – amazingly enough, be refreshed. Where else can you find people of such diverse denominations consent to worship as one? It is one of the best examples of God’s love in action you will ever experience.

Central provides services the second Sunday of each month. While we visit both homes, it is possible to sign up for either the 1:30 or 3 pm service. The Elders deliver the message, but always welcome having members assist with greeting, reading scripture, prayers, passing communion or sharing a gift of instrument or song. Or, if you prefer, just join the team to sit in the audience and enjoy the service. Contact Rex Strine, Bob Wheeler or any Elder to answer your questions and sign up for upcoming services. As one resident put it – “We don’t have anyone to take us to church so thank you for bringing church to us”.