Central Christian Church(Disciples of Christ)

Occasionally, the “natives” among us – those who have been around for as long as anyone can remember, need to be reminded what it feels like to be a “pilgrim” – a visitor on any given Sunday morning. What does it feel like to get up and go to a church where you’ve never been before? I suspect we natives underestimate the courage it takes to walk into a strange place with people who know each other, know what’s going on and know the lay of the land. I also suspect that seeking to understand the perspective of a Sunday morning pilgrim can bring big dividends to our church – natives and pilgrims alike!

Here are some tips from a fellow, long-term native in the hopes that pilgrims will find at Central Christian Church their own Plymouth Rock!

–Smile and greet everyone. Say, “Hi, I’m _______.” If you happen to greet a visitor – especially a first time worship visitor – you’ve hit the jackpot.

–Be helpful. When you meet a first time visitor, see if they have any questions. If they have children, they may wonder where our Sunday School classrooms or nursery are located. If they are alone, perhaps you might invite them to sit with you or your family.

–Do a “hand off.” If you are busy on Sunday mornings, as many of our volunteers are, be sure to hand them off to someone else before going about your business. Introduce them to someone with whom they may have something in common. In other words, don’t leave anyone alone and unsure what to do next.

–Bring all pilgrims to me! As long as worship isn’t in progress, or just about to begin, I would love to meet anyone who is visiting with us. Please feel free to interrupt me or “cut” in line after worship. Helping visitors to feel welcome and wanted is one of our top priorities every Sunday!

–After worship, seek out folks you don’t already know. Sometimes you will meet other members you haven’t had a chance to meet. More often than not, you’ll be the friendly face greeting people who may be visiting the church for the first time. Once again, before disengaging, be sure to introduce them to someone else or invite them to join you in the fellowship hall for refreshments.

–Our fellowship time is a great opportunity to make visitors feel at home. If you are a “native,” then that automatically makes you a “host.” If we all begin thinking like hosts, we can be certain anyone visiting our church will be made to feel very welcome!

Research has shown that the summer months are when pilgrims are most likely to be out searching for a church home. So keep an eye out and remember… you are a representative of Jesus and His Church not only on Sundays, but every day of the week.

On Saturday, May 15th, alumnus, family and friends will gather at Camp Christian for the 2010 Camp Christian Reunion. You are invited to come, for all or part, of the activities. The weekend reunion activities will officially kick-off with a continental breakfast on Saturday morning; relive the fun of Quest groups; be rejuvenated through a Spirit-filled Vesper Service; and there may even be a Cabin Caper or two to do. In between other planned activities, spend the day reminiscing about your days as a camper. This reunion will see the start of the recording of the living history of Camp Christian; so, bring your memories, pictures and memorabilia to share. Bring your loved ones, visit with friends, go boating on the lake or spend time exploring the grounds. Join in the singing of beloved camp songs. Learn about the newest inductees into the Camp Christian Hall of Fame, and our own Charles (Bob) Bentley, Sr., into the newest group of Faithful Servants. Child care will be provided during some of the activities. For additional information and registration, visit the Regional website.

Our next parade is this Saturday, May 15th, the Oakwood “That Day In May Parade.” We need volunteers to walk and hand out goodies and to help keep everyone supplied. All ages are welcome. The parade will begin at 11:30 a.m., and is ¼ to ½ mile long. If you can help, contact John Brown at 439-0727 or Joan Norman at 254-3846.

Some people carry a pocket knife, special coin, or other special item with them every day. My father, who worked on machinery everyday for decades, carries a little wrench around in his pocket. It is completely worn smooth and probably never gets used anymore. But it still does its job. Just like the other things that people carry – the wrench is a reminder to my father about who he is and what he does.
I believe we all need certain “touchstones” in our lives – things to which we return that remind us of whom and whose we are. Sometimes those touchstones are physical – like a grandfather’s pocket watch or a cross. Other times, those touchstones can take the form of a certain activity or place.

Attending worship is an important touchstone for many of us. Those who have committed to weekly worship and observance of the Lord’s Supper feel as though something significant is missing in their week when they aren’t able to
touch base with the church.

There is a reason the Bible warns us not to neglect the gathering of the saints each Lord’s Day (Hebrews 10:25). Worshiping with other believers not only gives us an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to lives of discipleship and service, but it also “forms” us. In other words, simply showing up and being with others who are likewise seeking to love and serve God and neighbor changes us and shapes us in fundamental ways.

Kind of like that wrench in my father’s pocket, after a long time, all of the rough parts are worn smooth and pleasant to the touch. We become more pliable and more useful in the Master’s hand.

On any given Sunday at Central Christian Church, dozens of regular attendees are not present. The next Sunday, the numbers haven’t changed, but the faces have. In other words, we have a different congregation nearly every week. When we all happen to be present on the same Sunday – what a wonderful feeling it is!

As the temperatures rise, many will take time for much needed vacations and time away. That is important recreation time. Even God took a break on the seventh day. But do not neglect the gathering of the saints! When you are able, join your church in worshiping and growing together in faith. Discipleship is a journey and we are on this journey together!

Beginning on Pentecost (May 23rd), I will begin a sermon series on the Ten Commandments that will take us nearly through the summer months. I am currently reading “The Ten Commandments” by Patrick D. Miller in preparation and I’m very excited about exploring these words we oftentimes don’t fully understand. It is going to be a great summer!

I look forward to joining with all the Saints this coming Sunday – on Mother’s Day – as we worship God and celebrate the gift of our moms!

Think you know the 10 commandments? What if you found out some commandments are routinely misinterpreted by the majority of believers and also that we only scratch the surface of those that are more easily understood? The Ten
Commandments are like the skeleton in the human body. They represent the most foundational document of our faith – the constitution of the covenant between God and His people. Join us each Sunday, beginning on Pentecost- May 23rd through July 25th, as we explore each of the Ten Commandments – what they meant in their original context, how they have been interpreted through history, and how they can be used in today’s world to renew our faith and covenant with God.

Central’s doors will be wide open this summer with its Sustainable Spirituality® Summer Series. This series features a newly released Sermon Series on The 10 Commandments, a new Contemporary Adult Sunday School Class, Vacation Bible School, Parades, learning about the adventures and God connections experienced at camp and Adult Conference and praying for the anticipated Tent Service scheduled this fall. We have planned worship, events and activities to accommodate the busiest or most laid back summer routine. Want to brush up on your golf game – meet us Sunday from 9 to 9:30 am for Contemporary Service. Looking to catch up on sleep, then the 10:30 Traditional Service fits the bill. Want to build some quality family time, then volunteer to work the three remaining parades to be held in Oakwood-May 15th, Centerville- July 4th and Kettering-Labor Day. Looking for quality entertainment for your children and their friends? Then invite your favorite kids to go with you to Vacation Bible School July 12th through the 16th. PS – If sharing your talents and love for God with an appreciative group sounds uplifting, then volunteer time (games, art, cookies, fun) to experience the most amazing God smiles around. Summer time sun, water, vacations, camp, time off, busy children, visiting relatives, and scheduled trips will take a new meaning by taking God with you this summer (He doesn’t take up much space in the suitcase) or inviting your friends, family and neighbors to share in our activities. A display “Where’s Central” will feature your summertime photos if they contain a Central Sign, t-shirt or banner, so we can share in everyone’s fun and adventures.  Join us as we explore and strengthen a relationship with God that can go anywhere.

Our next planning meeting for this year’s Vacation Bible School on Thursday, May 6th at 7:00. At Galactic Blast Vacation Bible School, our cadets will voyage into outer space praising God. Through daily missions, our kids will see space like never before, gain a new perspective on our planet Earth, and learn easy “green” earth tips they can practice at home. This cosmic combination of faith and fun will have our cadets developing a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This year’s VBS will be taking place July 12th – 16th from 9:00 to noon. Every year, it is such a joy to see the kids learn about the wonders of God’s love for us in such a fun and festive atmosphere – if you haven’t experienced it, you should stop by the church and check it out – their enthusiasm is contagious! This year, more than ever before, we need your help. We are in need of folks to help with crafts, games and our service projects, as well as with our opening and closing activities each day. Please consider this great opportunity to share your faith with the future of our church (the children). If you feel called in any way to help out (even just for one day), please let Tammy Turner or Melissa Moody know.

We invite you to join our Adult Sunday School Class held after the Morning Watch service from 9:40 am – 10:20 am in the former nursery classroom. From May 2nd thru May 16th: The 12 Most Common Christian Myths (DVD by Dr. John Townsend); and May 23rd through July 25th: Discussion of the 10 Commandments Sermon Series.

This Sunday, May 2nd is Music Sunday. Our musicians and musicians from across the country will bless us with their musical talents at our 10:30 a.m. Traditional Service. There’s more…The 33rd Annual Spring Musical presented by students of Tanya Noffsinger will be presented at 3:00 p.m. Both services will be beautiful, uplifting and inspiring – and one you don’t want to miss!

There is a show on one of the cable networks called “Hoarders” about people who are incapable of throwing anything out. Some of these folks find themselves literally buried in all their stuff. Unfortunately, this is probably true for many of us to one degree or another. We live in a culture that encourages us to consume more and more.

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.