May, 2015 - Fairfield Church of Christ
Transcription
May, 2015 - Fairfield Church of Christ
UpLink May, 2015 A bigger house, nicer car, better vacations. Wanting more isn't always bad, but are we looking for satisfaction in the wrong places? Most of us don't think we are rich. We think that since we worry about paying bills, and wonder how we'll pay for large expenses that we're not wealthy; we're only average. We say to ourselves, "If I had just a little bit more, then I'd feel less anxious about my situation." However, the reality is that even millionaires worry, and wish for more. There's no end to "having enough." What we need is a shift in our perception about wealth. It's not about how much you have, it's about what you do with what you have. Exploring 1 Timothy 6:8, "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." We just need to get back to good ole generosity. Just like the early believers in Jesus were known for radical generosity long ago, we too have the ability to demonstrate the love of Christ in how and where we share our abundance with a world who will definitely take notice. Join Brian, David and Darryll as they help lead us to What Matters Most, beginning Sunday, May 10th. A “Book of the Month” in May @ FCC: Take God At His Word You are challenged to join us in reading one chapter a week in Dr. Kregg Hood’s informative and insightful booklet, Take God At His Word. Whether yours is a “household” of one or a crowd of a dozen, every FCC Christ follower will benefit from uniting in the congregational reading. Each chapter will complement the preaching series that Brian will launch on Sunday, May 10th, titled Being Rich in What Matters Most. In addition to reading Take God At His Word at home, some of our small groups are choosing to discuss it in their gatherings as well. Great idea! Let Dr. Hood plant God’s garden of “Ps” to grow in your life --- God’s principles, plans, priorities and promises. The books will be distributed in the morning worship services on Sunday, May 10th, as Brian begins the message series. Be sure to pick up the copy for your household! Thursday, May 7th The National Day of Prayer Our Church Family will once again offer Sign up this Sunday to Serve Two Hour Shifts from 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM Join us at 6:00 PM on Sunday, May 17th, as Sonshine Gang presents #Empty2overflowing I hope during this sermon series we have realized that this world can really suck us dry like a sponge. It’s like when we’re cut off from Christ or his body, we’re one little drop of water disconnected from the source and the thirsty sponge is crying out for someone to quench it’s thirst and it takes what we have quick. If we don’t get For students in 7th—12th grades back to the source we wind up chapped, dried out like we haven’t had anything to drink in what seems like ages. But what refreshment comes when we turn back to God. This world can make us parched very quickly, if we don’t stay connected to the source we pass out unable to see or be aware of the living water that has been freely given. Don’t dry out, don’t pass out, stay connected to the source. Summer will bring family trips, band camps, athletic conditioning, opportunities to waste away inside because you don’t have anywhere to be...stay connected to the source. Life will still happen: deadlines at work, responsibilities at home, friends pulling you one way when you desire to go another, your phone crying out to be answered...stay connected to the source. God can actually use all of these moments and turn them to refreshment if we stay connected to Him. Braze & Invasion Jr. High to the Zoo We are continuing with our “regularly scheduled programming” this month, meeting on Sunday evenings at 6:00 for Braze. Then on Wednesday evenings we will be meeting again for Invasion as well, and remember Invasion meets at 7:00. On Saturday, May 16, we will be going to the Cincinnati Zoo with our Jr High. We will meet at 10:00 AM and the cost is $12 a person! Bring some money for lunch. Please come and hang out with us! S.N.A.C. Night On Saturday, May 30th we will take a group out to camp for a meeting for camp leadership this summer. We are doing this so that all the leaders are on the same page in what each camp is wanting to accomplish this summer. The meeting will be led by Brian Schreiber. We will leave at 8:00 in the morning because the meeting starts at 9:00. Come get on the same page with the rest of the crew. Come hang out with us after church on Sunday night and share in some food and fellowship! After your Braze groups get out on Sunday, May 3rd, we will meet in the downstairs youth center and eat. Come share time with us. That night our official end time will be 8:30. Refreshed: A Senior High Solitude Retreat Life is crazy! Tests, papers, more tests, more papers, relationships: family, friends, significant others, sports, church, phones, computers, tablets, Netflix, work, Papers, Tests . . . . . ahhhhh!!! And the list just keeps growing. There are a lot of things that get in our way of spending time with God. This retreat will be specifically created for you to have time with our Lord and Creator. We will go out and spend some time at King’s Domain. There will be time for reflection, prayer, hiking, taking in all the sights, smells, tastes, and words God has for us. Make sure you bring a Bible and sleeping stuff. Maybe even stuff for a shower. This is one retreat that we’ll silence and turn off our cell phones for. We’ll leave at 5:00 PM on Friday, May 8th and get back by 7:00 PM on Saturday, May 9th. This retreat will cost $20. Braze Supports the Up and Coming! On Sunday, May 17, instead of meeting regularly we will have the pleasure of joining the rest of our church family to take in the sights and sounds of the world famous children’s choir—The SONSHINE Gang! They will be performing their rendition of “Back to the Cross” starring some of your favorite Kidopolis residents. Come for their performance at 6:00 and you will be taken aback by this esteemed children’s choir! Calling all Camp Counselors! WE WANT YOU! On Sunday, May 31st we will also have a brief informational meeting about how you can get involved youth ministry if you are interested. This meeting will be for various levels of commitment. So if you think, “I’d love to but I don’t have the time to commit.” Don’t worry, this meeting is for you too. The meeting will be in the Chapel after 2nd service dismisses. Come check us out! Graduate Sunday! Graduate Sunday is May 31st! Get your pictures in by Sunday, May 17th, so we can get you on the screen and in the UpLink. This is for high school and college graduates. We will honor graduates this day with a special presentation in both services. This is also when our students will advance on to their next Sunday school class, keeping in step with their grade in school. Fusion Student Ministries continued on page 4 Sonshine Gang Don’t forget our extra rehearsals in May – Wednesday night, May 13th and the dress rehearsal, May 15th. Check your calendars for times! CLUB 56 th 252 BASICS Our Sunday morning Bible School is designed to help kids develop some very important Biblical life applications. Our curriculum combines the critical influences of the church and home to incite wonder, provoke discovery and fuel passion in the hearts of the “Next Generation.” May’s Virtue of the month is: HONESTY — choosing to be truthful in whatever you say and do. Memory Verse - “Keep me from cheating and telling lies. Be kind and teach me your law.” Psalm 119:29 Friday, May 8 6:30 - 9:30 PM Our final Club 56 with our current 6th graders! A special going away party is planned in honor of YOU! PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE (Sonshine Gang dress rehearsal will be on our regular night.) Friday, May 8th. Bring your friends . . . you won’t want to miss this! SUMMER BASKETBALL CLINIC Spaces are filling up quickly for this summer’s basketball clinics at FCC. Call Marianne in the church office for info and to register. For children going into 3rd & 4th grades in the Fall of 2015 - June 8th -11th or July 20th - 23rd, 9:00 AM - Noon. A few spaces remain for 5th - 8th graders, 1:00—4:00 PM, July session only. Children’s Ministry Summer Volunteer Opportunities: Summer Volunteer Opportunities Fairfield Movies in the Park – Six times this summer our church will be serving our community at the Fairfield Fire Department’s Movie in the Park. We are responsible for serving the popcorn and pop to hundreds of Fairfield Residents. The dates are May 15, June 5, July 10, August 7, September 4 and October 2. We will also have a booth at each movie to promote our VBS, Upward Basketball, and other special events coming up here at FCC. Maybe your small group, Bible School class, or family would like to pick a service date! Be the face of Christ to our community and sign up today! Woodland Lakes Christian Camp – This year Tammy is responsible for a full-week at Woodland Lakes – 4th and 5th Grade. Several volunteers are needed as camp counselors for the week of June 28 – July 3. If you love Christian Camp – this is an exciting way to serve. Our theme is “Treasure Hunt” and we definitely have a genuine treasure to share. Spaces are limited – talk to Tammy ASAP if you’d like to help. VBS – Meadow Ridge – The week of August 3 - 7 we will be taking a team of volunteers to the Meadow Ridge apartment complex for a “Backyard VBS”. Each afternoon from 1:-00 – 3:00 we will offer Bible Stories, crafts, games and snacks for the kids who live in that area. This will be the final week of the Summer Lunch program – Let’s send them back to school with a BANG! Several volunteers will be needed. VBS – Fairfield Church of Christ – Our weekend Vacation Bible School will be the weekend of July 17 - 19. Our gym will be transformed and thousands of invites will be given to kids throughout Butler County. Plan now to help be a Crew Leader, Station Leader, Game Leader . . . the list goes on and on. Many volunteers are needed. A specific list of volunteers will coming in the near future – SAVE THE DATE!!! North American Christian Convention – Our church has been placed in charge of the Kindergarten Convention. Volunteering for one session of this convention will give you free registration for the entire event! 3-hour teaching slots are available Wednesday, June 24 (morning, afternoon, evening) and Thursday, June 25. Please let Tammy know as soon as possible if you are interested in helping. Come and help us in the morning and enjoy the rest of the day at the convention! Summer Sunday School – Several spots are open this summer as some of our regular Bible School teachers will take a well-needed and deserved break over the summer. Let Tammy know if you can help 1 hour for 1 month during June, July, or August. Really Important Stuff – Get in on it! Faith Building Fun Fellowship Caring Action FCC’s 55 +Senior TEAM! Join us for our great fun and food fellowships this spring: Wednesday, June 17, 12:00-1:30 Picnic at the Walkers in Mason Christian Village RSVP for New Horizons . . . on the Road! Sunday, May 3 ReTool at Bright Christian with Bob Russell [Leave FCC @ 4:30; Bring a sack supper if you want] Wednesday, May 20 Spring Grove Monument and Color Tour [Leave FCC @ 10:30; Cost: $5 and lunch money] Monday –Friday, June 1-5 Seniors in the Smokies at Johnson University in Knoxville, TN [Talk with Marlene Johnson for registration details] Wednesday, June 24 Seniors Banquet at North American Christian Convention; Downtown Cincinnati ~ ~ Featuring Bob & John Russell [Early RSVP encouraged – Tickets $18 each] Caring mean Serving! Here are some places the New Horizons team is connecting: Spring and Summer Outreach Opportunities: Volunteer to serve lunch, tutor a grade school child or help in outreach events at these neighborhood ministry centers: Christian Family Center in Hamilton Northside – Meadow Ridge Apartments off Mulhauser; ReThreads on Nilles Road. Thursday, May 7 FCC’s Cup of Joe and a Prayer to Go Take a shift to serve coffee or tea to passersby in our “turn around lane” off Symmes. Share a prayer card and offer prayer for those who would receive them on the National Day of Prayer Tuesday-Friday, June 23-26 North American Christian Convention Volunteer Select a four hour shift on day at the great NACC to help at the Customer Service both in the Convention Center. Help us welcome Christian sisters and brothers from all over the world for this wonderful inspirational, instructional and fellowship event. Bonus: Volunteers who serve earn free registration for the entire convention. Value: $189 ! Want to know/ connect more? Talk with a New Horizons Team member Stop by our New Horizons Kiosk in the FCC Foyer any Sunday! Fusion Student Ministries continued from page 2 Senior Night Woo-hoo!!! You’re graduating! The evening of May 31st, we will hold our Senior Night. This is a night where we just share in celebrating our seniors that are graduating. So bring stories, the inspirational, the sappy, and yes the embarrassing! Come hang out with us that Sunday night at 6:00, it will replace our Braze time, so come join us as we celebrate. Please send your Open House info to Aaron or Marianne in the church office so we can share it with the FCC family! & March 22 Worship 585 Bible School 283 Please pray for the friends and families of these March 29 573 281 Loved Ones who have Passed Away: April 5 842 n/a April 12 621 307 April 19 526 269 March 22 - April 19, 2015 General Fund Contributions Missions TOTAL $ 97,868.98 $ 3,230.00 $ 101,098.98 2015 Weekly Budgeted Expenses: $ 19,140 Y-T-D Giving and Expenses as of April 16, 2015 2015 Giving* 2015 Expenses Expenses in Excess of Giving Mark Burkhart Requested by Melanie Laytart Missy Bush’s Father Requested by Kathy Hopper Tiffany Hodge Requested by Emma Petitt Ken Lappin Requested by Karen Hibbard Stephen McCrotty Former FCC Member $ 316,422.58 $ 328,343.68 $ (11,901.10) *2015 Giving includes $15,340 for the 2014 roof repair. Weekly Attendance and Offerings are included in the Sunday Worship Bulletins It’s not too late to contribute to Buckets of Blessings to Help with the Cost of our 2014 Roof Repair. So far, $46,365.85 has been designated toward the $80,000 needed for this project! DECISIONS FOR CHRIS Please join us in welcoming the newest member of Fairfield Church of Christ! Kenetra Wilkinson Baptized on April 5, 2015 Your Change will Change Lives Spaghetti Dinner Saturday, May 2nd 4:00 - 7:00 PM Fairfield Church of Christ Gym $10 for 12 and up $5 under 12 Contact Tina for more info Sunday, May 3rd, will be our next collection day for Your Change will Change Lives. Our church family has donated another $322.25 toward this project, making the total $10,116.10 toward the remodeling of the Shop (Youth Center). Thanks to everyone who has been saving their change to change lives at FCC! Your $10 donation turns into $20 for CFC NOW thru May 11th Hamilton-Ohio Christian Family Center is proud to announce a partnership with Meijer this spring to provide much-needed hunger relief to local families through the Grand Rapids, MI based retailer’s customer-driven food pantry donation program, Simply Give. Each Meijer Simply Give campaign aims to replenish the shelves of nearly 200 food pantries in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. The program encourages customers to purchase $10 Meijer Food Pantry Donation Cards, which are then matched, converted into Meijer gift cards and given to a local food pantry in the store’s community. Hamilton’s Christian Family Center benefits from donation cards purchased at the Hamilton Ohio Meijer store now through May 11th. A team from FCC will be serving at the Mountain Mission School in Grundy, VA, the week of June 8th - 12th. If you are interested in this trip please contact Mick Wright . CAMP REGISTRATION! Another year of summer camp approaches for our children and students! We anticipate fun times and more growing closer to Jesus at Woodland Lakes Christian Camp. This year’s Camp Registrations will be done online at www.woodlandlakes.com. FCC Camp Scholarships: Again, this year we will offer a church scholarship for families attending our church. See Tammy or Aaron Hibbard for scholarship coupon codes for online registration. The North American Christian Convention Returns to the Cincinnati Convention Center June 23-26 Reserve some time to enjoy the inspirational messages, huge exhibits of Christian work and worldwide mission, worshipful music, and informative workshops. Sessions planned specifically for family members of all ages. 20 + volunteers are needed for the NACC Customer Service area. Volunteers will extend a warm greeting and provide answers for questions on the phone and onsite at the convention. Sign up for a four hour shift and you’ll get to enjoy the NACC for FREE! Please contact Brian by calling the church office, 867.1833 or [email protected] to volunteer! FCC . . . this is for YOU! It’s time to re-enroll or sign-up for the next year of Kroger Community Rewards. Go to Kroger.com, click the Community Tab, then Community Rewards and follow the instructions to Sign In or Create an Account. All you need is your Kroger Plus card and you can start helping FCC. Our NPO number is 82536. You have the option of the rewards from your purchases going toward FCC’s Benevolence Ministry (automatic if no designation is made), your student’s account for Student Ministry activities, or FCC’s Upward SportsTM Outreach Ministry (not individual player’s account). Please contact Sharon Stacy for more info about designating your rewards. Sign-up today . . . the new rewards year begins May 1st! 6:00 PM Prayer Gathering 6:30 PM AHG 18 6:00 PM Braze Sonshine Gang 17 25 24 12:15 PM Student Ministry Info Meeting 6:00 PM Fusion Senior Night 31 6:00 PM Braze 6:00 PM Prayer Gathering 6:00 PM Back to the Cross 11:00 AM Starting Point 11 10 4 6:00 PM Prayer Gathering Your Change will Change Lives Mon 4:30 PM New Horizons to Bright Christian 6:00 PM Braze - SNAC Sonshine Gang 3 Sun 6:30 PM Elders’ Meeting 6:30 PM Trail Life USA 12:30 PM Brown Bag Lunch and Bible Study 7:00 PM Invasion 27 28 21 29 22 May 31 This is a Test May 24 Giving with Intent May 17 Money is Tricky May 10 Being Rich . . . Good News—Bad News Support Group for Grieving Parents 7:00 PM Invasion 26 10:30 AM New Horizons Spring Grove Tour 6:30 PM 20 12:30 PM Brown Bag Lunch and Bible Study 6:30 PM Sonshine Gang Dress Rehearsal 6:30 PM AHG Leader Apprec. 7:00 PM Movie in the Park 6:00 PM Sonshine Gang Reh. 7:00 PM Invasion Missions Team Mtg. 15 6:30 PM Club 56 (thru 5/9) 5:00 PM Sr. High Retreat 8 1 Fri 14 6:00 AM Cup of Joe and a Prayer to Go 7 Thu 13 Support Group for Grieving Parents 7:00 PM Invasion 6:30 PM 6 Wed 19 6:30 PM Trail Life USA 12 6:30 PM Ladies Bible Study 12:30 PM Brown Bag Lunch and Bible Study 5 Tue 2015 8:00 AM Student Leadership Meeting (@ WLCC) 30 23 10:00 AM Jr. High to Cinti Zoo 16 9 4:00 PM HD Spaghetti Dinner 2 Sat 15 Devin Baker Ky Schreiber Grace Toulouse 2015 birthdays 1 Sarah Strom 2 Doug Brickler Kellie Sue Church Becky Waters 3 Phil Schellenbach 5 Dick Nachtman 6 Cathy Chenoweth Rhonda Laws Barbara Lewis Anna Snell 7 Bill Brown Larry Combs Aaron Hibbard John Millard Anna Waddell 8 9 Rich Darnall Jana Dorst Skyler Robinson Jay Flannery Courtney Moak Bob Neeley 11 Michelle Cagle Linda Nelson Michelle Reese Ken Wehr 12 Evan Ervin Joshua Hetrick Tom Wehmann 13 Cathy Holmes 14 Hope Main Susan Rector Tina Sunderhaus Trail Life would like to thank all those who donated 2-liter bottles for our rocket race. Special thanks go to Aaron and the students for their contribution. The Trailmen had lots of fun launching their rockets up to 100 feet across the church parking lot. We have a lot of exciting activities coming up in May. We are scheduled for two separate campouts next month. We will also be honoring those that gave their lives for our country this Memorial Day by placing flags at Crown Hill Memorial Park and marching in Fairfield’s Memorial Day parade. Trail Life is also teaming up with the men’s group for a cleanup day at Woodland Lakes Camp on May 23rd. Finally we invite you to stop by CVS at the corner of Nilles and Pleasant on Saturday, May 9th for a free car wash from 9:00 AM to noon. Donations from the car wash will be used to help fund the troop this coming year. Tracy White, Troopmaster [email protected] Trail Life USA, Troop OH-0414 23 Brennen Farr Kathy Mosure 17 Connie Ballou Abigail Esteves Charlie Johnson Don Moore Avery Pennington T.J. Rice 25 Shirley Neeley Kristen Duppstadt 27 Mylee Hoyle 29 Maxine Ball Nic Pater 18 Kristina Hoyle Sandy Hurley Megan Mosure 30 Gladys Fuller Eugene Murvin Brian Schreiber 19 Becky Bittinger Lu Ann Nickelson Mary Jane Pearson Brant seymour 31 Tom Holzschuh Emily McDulin Vinton Roush Ashleigh Smith 20 Hannah Hargrave George Hubbard 21 Michael Bonner Haley Creech Lloyd Hurley 22 Jeri Bell Olivia Lapid For addresses for shut-ins in the FCC family, please contact Marianne in the church office. Starting Point A “Get Acquainted Step” for Newcomers & Inquirers Sunday, May 17, 11:00 AM Maybe you have been participating in services at FCC for a while but still feel like you need some orientation. Perhaps you’re a newcomer and want to meet the leadership team at this church. If so, please join us for Starting Point! Staring Point is a quick paced, hour long session that seeks to acquaint folks with the main mission of the church. It briefly: Recalls some major marking points in FCC history Shows highlights of the programs here. Reveals the core Biblical beliefs that shape our faith and practice. Starting Point may not be everything you’ve ever wanted to know about church, but it is a good place to begin. Our Pastor/Teacher, David Hargrave, facilitates this special program. RSVP for Starting Point on the Sunday worship program beginning May 3. Or you may RSVP to the church office, [email protected] or 513.867.1833 Hike for Hunger Community Outreach What is the Hike for Hunger? The Hike is a fun community event that brings people together to collectively improve the health of the community while spreading the love of God. Spend a morning walking with friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues to raise awareness and funds to help eliminate hunger and malnutrition in our city and around the world. Choose to walk or run the 5K Hike for Hunger. The hike path is paved and wheelchair accessible. 1. When and where is the Hike? The Hike will be held on Saturday, June 20th. Watch for more information over the coming weeks about the location . 9:00 Check-in, late registration 9:30 Breakfast and warm-up work out. 9:45 Fun Run Kids Race (Approx 1 mile) 10:00 Hike for Hunger 5K Run begins. 10:10 Hike for Hunger 5k Walk Begins 2. Who can participate? We welcome everyone (ages 0-100+) to participate in the Hike! All participants need register with a $25 per person minimum registration fee. 3. The 3 Part Challenge. Please consider taking the 3 part Challenge (1) Take the challenge to raise $200 a person, (but no one is turned away for not meeting this goal). For those who are unable to fundraise prior to the event, a minimum $25 registration fee is required to participate. Fundraising can be done online or with the provided brochure. (2) Take the challenge to bring at least 3 non-perishable canned goods to the hike. (But no one is turned away for not meeting this challenge) (See list of desired non-perishables) (3) Take the challenge and participate in the 5K Hike, AND invite at least 3 people to join you in the 3-part challenge. 4. The Cause. Hike for Hunger supports local food banks, charities, ministries and schools who target the hunger problem in our City, and around the world. This year’s proceeds from the FCC Hike for Hunger will in part go to (1) The “Meal in a Bag” program, a non-profit Fairfield based ministry aimed at providing bagged meals for Butler County Children’s Services. (2) The “Christian Family Center”, a local Hamilton based non-profit providing tutoring and serving meals to under-resourced children in Hamilton and (3) The “Meadow Ridge Lunch of Love”, a non-profit in Butler County aimed at tutoring and providing meals to under-resourced children. 5. How can I volunteer to help? We will need a lot of help to make this outreach event a success. Watch for volunteer sign ups in the weeks to come. For more info, contact Darryll Davis [email protected] or Lynn Dassell The Staff at Fairfield Church of Christ Brian Schreiber Aaron Hibbard Lead Minister Minister to Students Aaron Leonard Worship Arts [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] David Hargrave Tammy Leonard Darryll Davis Pastor—Teacher Children’s Director Outreach Director [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Marianne Larsen Administrative Assistant [email protected] Sunday Services at Fairfield Church of Christ 9:30 AM 11:00 AM Classic Worship Service Contemporary Praise Celebration Thursday, May 21st - SHOES FOR H.O.P.E. OUTREACH During the month of May 2015, we’re asking you to Collect and Donate shoes to benefit those without shoes around the world. Your generous donation of new and used shoes can prevent the hardship and lifethreatening symptoms caused by parasitic infection and soil transmitted helminths. Approximately two billion people worldwide suffer with parasitic diseases that could be prevented by wearing shoes. People die every day from these diseases. Here are the shoes we want: Shoes that you do not want or do not wear any more Shoes that have the heel broken off Shoes that do not have a match to them All shapes and sizes - Baby, infant, toddler, child, teen, adults shoes and boots Boots, flip-flops, sandals, tennis shoes, dress shoes, hiking shoes, cleats, etc. Shoes in any condition Broken shoes, Dirty shoes, Scuffed shoes, Used and new shoes The average women owns about 17 pairs of shoes The average woman wears 3 pairs of shoes regularly; the rest sit in her closet Over 300 million children do not have shoes to wear How many shoes will you collect or donate? A child, a family, a village, and a nation need your shoes. We look forward to hearing from you soon and collecting your unwanted shoes. 745 Symmes Road Fairfield, OH 45014