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Newsletter>
First Christian Church Newsletter
October 1, 2006
PASTOR CRAIG'S NOTES
Do you know the importance of September 15th?
September 15th is 100 days till Christmas. How fast the
year has gone. We now begin to shift our focus from the
Summer Camps and vacations, to the coming holidays. We look
forward to celebrating once again the coming of the Christ
child and God*s personal intervention into creation.
This time is also the beginning of the end of my personal
journey. With God*s blessings I will be completing my
seminary course this coming May. I have already been in
touch with Tom Jewel and with the Board*s permission have
set the date for my ordination service for June 3rd 2007.
The next coming six months will be time of excitement as we
together prepare for this event.
It is the tradition of ordination that the candidate
selects where the service will be held. I can think of no
better place than First Christian Marietta. Most of my
friends have also selected their home churches. FCC
Marietta will serve as the *Host* church but I have also
asked Hillcrest Christian Church OKC to serve as a
sponsoring church. This is the congregation that I grew up
in and also where Carrie and I were wed.
Carrie has set up a small committee to begin thinking about
this event and plan for a reception that will follow the
actual service. We should have a good time.
I have also asked many of our Love County Pastor*s to
attend and possible some will be in the service. I firmly
believe that this is holding to our foundational belief in
the unity of the universal church.
I will continue to provide updates as more and more
information come up.
Praying for you as I hope that you are praying for me.
Craig
WHAT CHURCH MEMBERSHIP MEANS TO ME
Today I was awakened at 2:30a with the notion that I was to
write this article for the newsletter. I try everyday to
start my day by reading the Crosswalk newsletter "Today God
Is First" devotional that I receive by email. After reading
the devotional I got this idea which is similar to my dream
that I hope to express very briefly. I think this ties in
with some of the questions being asked about what it means
to be a member. Last month Alice & I compared church
membership to the commitment we have in marriage. But here
is another way to think about what membership means, and I
paraphrase from a Crosswalk TGIF devotional.
As Hillman told a story about how several shepherds mixed
their flocks in one pen for the night. They were separated
the next morning to go with their shepherd just by
recognizing his voice as he called them out. He compared
this to responding to the voice of Jesus and having a
two-way relationship with God. It is the difference between
having religion and a relationship.
To me, membership in the church is like having a
relationship with the Church instead of just being
religious and visiting the church. These questions come to
mind. Are you listening to the Shepherd's voice that
invites you to be a part of his family? Are you studying
the word and getting to know Jesus? Are you maturing
spiritually? Are you having a relationship with the flock,
the church family, or just visiting?
Membership like freedom is free, but with responsibilities.
Time is near when we pick leaders for the coming year. Now
is the time to think about your God given talents,
abilities, and gifts. Now is the time to ask what you can
do to promote your spiritual growth and the growth of the
church.
I have counted hundreds of little tasks and jobs in the
church. Elder, Deacon, Secretary, Treasurer, and Chairman
are just a few positions of leadership. Then there are
specific tasks like care of property, painting, and
repairs, changing light bulbs, distributing the mail, and
collecting cans and soup labels; singing songs of praise,
studying, teaching, preaching, washing dishes, communion
preparation, greeting, visiting and care of members and on
and on.
Church membership to me is like being on the team to
accomplish a common task, achieve a common goal, and form a
relationship with other members, bringing people to Christ,
and worshiping God and following His commands together as a
church family.
As I stated in the beginning, I try to start every day with
a TGIF attitude. This way I grow and mature spiritually so
that I might recognize God's voice when He calls me to help
Him. The way I see things is that we are not perfect so we
can't model perfection but we can model spiritual growth,
which I believe is required of a member.
John 15:8 says, "By this is my Father glorified, that you
bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples". Members
share time, talent and treasures and bear much fruit.
MONEY MANAGEMENT CLASS TO BE OFFERED
NOTICE: I am starting a study group on " Managing Your
Money". There are several resources available that include
such topics or studies as: How to Manage your Money God's
Way, Living Debt Free, The Road to Financial Freedom, The
Money Map, Need Money, Seed Money, Wants versus Needs, 'Ten
Stones to keep the Wolf away from the Door', and other
topics that we may develop.
The first meeting for all who are interested will be
October 5, Thursday evening at 7:00 PM at Jerry Cochran's
home, 900 N. Hwy. 77, Marietta. This will be a kick off
meeting to determine the best time or times to have future
meetings. Each group will be limited to six people other
than the leaders.
There is a sign up sheet on the church bulletin board or
call me at 276-5486 or email: jeraco@cableone.net.
.
Jack and Ann Drennan, Jr. have been active members of First
Christian, Marietta approximately 30 years. Jack currently
serves as an Elder and Anne serves as a Deacon. They
participate in church activities and prepared the communion
table for worship in September.
Jack was born in Texarcana, Arkansas, son of Jack and
Gracie Drennan, long time members of our congregation. He
graduated from Ardmore High School in 1958 and while there
played football as center. He also attended Murray State
College for 2 years. Jack was employed with Daube Oil
Company for 36 years and served with the Retired Army
Reserve for 31 years in Ardmore. He is semi-retired now and
has plenty of time for his hobby of going to car races.
Anne was born in West Virginia and graduated there from
High School in 1959. She lived in Dallas for 2 years and
met Jack there. They have been married for 41 years. Anne
worked for a geologist in Ardmore for 10 years and the Love
County Treasurer for 18 years. She has retired and has
plenty of time for her hobby of shopping.
Jack and Anne had one son, Bryan, who passed away in 2001.
Nellie, their 9 year old granddaughter is a great joy in
their life. They both enjoy their extended family and
attend many family celebrations.
Say hello next Sunday to our Members of the Month.
OCTOBER
BIRTHDAYS
1*Mary Lynn Howard
3*Charles Hudson
5*Yvone McGinnis
12*Mattie Tims
13*Curtis Cochran
*Frank Lambert
*Skye Ward
17*Conner Rutherford
20*David Hartman
22*Liz Weldon
CHOIR PRACTICE
WEDNESDAY 5:30 P.M.
JOIN US AND MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 3
Kids in Christ 5:30 p.m.
October 11
Board Meeting 7:00 p.m.
October 22
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