12 stones - Central Church of Christ

Central Church of Christ
515 N. Tibbs Rd.
Dalton, GA 30720
March 29, 2015
2015 Theme: “Homecoming”
However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends,
and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had
compassion on you.” Mark 5:19
Visit Our WEBSITE: ccocdalton.org
12 STONES
Rocks are in my genes. As a child, I spent time in my Grandmother's sewing room, opening drawer after splendid little drawer that held her
collection, asking questions about their names and "where" and "when." Each one told a story, and she remembered each one to tell. Most of our
family vacations included hikes along the water, and I'd slowly fill my pockets with rocks--some that sparkled, some with red or blue flecks, some
"just because." Later, my mom passed on to me the quest for heart-shaped rocks, and now each fishing trip or meander along a creek includes my
own hide-and-seek game with them.
The children of God...rocks were in their blood, too. They held 10 commands for how to love Him and love others. They were piled up as altars at
which to worship. One was struck, and water flowed out. Five were flung, and a giant fell. And then one day, One was placed as the Cornerstone,
and instead of just a pile of pebbles in their palm, they would reach out and touch the Rock. And upon the truth of Who He was a church would be
built.
But I think my favorite story about rocks, the one I absolutely identify the most with right now, is the one about a river, and 12 stones, and this fierce
command, "Remember." It begins: "This is how you will know that the living God is among you..." And then some priests carried the Ark--the
Presence--and there was dry ground as the people passed through the waters. On the other side they were told, "Choose. Choose 12 men who will
choose 12 stones. But not 12 from the banks or 12 from the comfortable ground on which you now camp. Go back through the waters and choose 12
out of the very depths from which you've come." "These stones are to be a memorial forever."
Not long before Josh and I were married, my dad asked us to choose a key verse for ourselves as a new family. With the whole Book to pick from, we
landed on Psalm 16:8, and as a wedding present he gave us a wood-burned sign reading: "I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my
right hand I will not be shaken." In 3 states, hung in 7 different homes, it has reminded us of who truly goes before us and the reason there is ever
any bit of dry gravel to step out on instead of just rushing, angry water around our feet.
As Brodie comes closer to completing the bulk of his treatment, I feel a kindred spirit with those Israelites standing on the other side of the Jordan.
This past week he took his last IV chemo treatment, and from this new camp I find myself looking back across the water asking, "Did we truly just
pass through?" I am completely certain it was only because the Lord went before us. Like the Ark--the Presence--not taking the river away, but
parting the water so we could pass through. Psalm 16:8 in real life. Please hear me: Brodie is not alive just because we believe or have any more
faith than the next family or can do all things through some magic God on whom we call. We aren't able to handle more because of our own strength,
and He hasn't brought us through as a result of Him bringing us to anything. And sometimes He does give us more than we can bear, because I
assure you that very little of the last 4 years has been done on our own. Instead I know this: Each One Step has been bearable because we have seen
Him in the midst of it all as we have tentatively tiptoed across this things that has threatened to engulf us. And now I hear Him say: "Choose. Face
into the depths of the pain, go back into the midst (after all, haven't I been there the whole time???) and choose 12 stones. 12 truths. 12 'I know this'
things that will not shake loose from your soul." "These are to be a memorial forever."
What are the 12 stones that I've carried from the river to our camp, the 12 reminders that He is alive and among us? As I look forward to April, to
the end of Maintenance, to tentatively continuing to take One Step forward on each bit of rock we can find, I finally find myself with the courage to
go back into the river, sifting through the sludge of it all. I'm slowly doing the hard work of picking Truth up, turning it over in my worn hands, and
then doing the hard work of carrying the rocks back to camp. I can't pretend I am yet whole as I do it. I can't pretend that in my weakness it has been
any strength but His that has lifted my feet as I go and come and go back for another. And as April comes, I can't yet bring myself to say the words,
"we'll be done." But I can choose. They're in my blood, after all, these rocks. These "this is how you will know" reminders have worked their way in
deep. And so I take One Step back into the waters, face head-first into the memory of it all, and I choose. I. Choose.
By Sarah Quinn (Lamar & Debbie’s daughter-in-law) — March 22, 2015
RESPONSES
Last Sunday, Beth Bennett came before
the church family and asked for prayers.
She said that, she and Nathan have been through a lot in
seeking custody of Liam.
They seek prayers to be
strengthened through this and prayers that they are doing the
right thing. Stand with Beth and Nathan as they face this
journey trying their best to care for their grandson.
AREA SINGING
Sunday, March 29 @ Central, 6 p.m.
Bring sandwiches, finger foods, desserts & drinks!
(Enough for our guests!)
L2L NEEDS...
Needed items for the L2L Convention by this
Sunday, March 29: 2 Liter soft drinks, Small
bottles of water, Cookies, Little Debbie's,
Individual bags of chips, nuts, 100 cal. snacks for grab & go!
BRIDAL SHOWER
There will be a Miscellaneous Bridal Shower
honoring Lacy Shook and Weston Hughes on
Saturday, April 18, at 11:00 a.m. in the
Fellowship Hall. Gift selections are registered at The Pine
Needle and Bed, Bath & Beyond. All ladies are invited.
MORNING WORSHIP ASSEMBLY
9:00 A.M.
“Watch Your Mouth”
James 3:1-12
Welcome
Song #895 – Thy Word – Gene Threet
Song #419 – Lord, We Come Before Thee Now (v. 1,3) –
Gene Threet
Prayer – Bob Miller
Song #7 – Abide with Me (v. 1) – John Cox
Song #924 – I Am Mine No More (v. 1-4) – John Cox
Communion & Contribution Prayers – Dean Baker
Communion Leaders
Kenny Bryant
Richard Milburn
Charles Doler
Eddie Sane
Bob Lee
Keith Yarbrough
Trey Myers
Jack Taylor
Kevin Stanley
Jim Cook
Song #937 – I Stand in Awe – Gene Threet
THANK YOU
Central Family,
Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers
during my recent eye surgery. Also, thanks to CARE Group
B1 for the goodies and concern.
In Christian love, Lynn Moss
Thank you so much for thinking of us during this time.
Thanks also for the prayers, calls, and visits.
The Family of Margaret Meadows
There will be NO Building
CARE Group Meeting
April 5!
Home Groups are Optional
according to the wants & needs of your group!
(Home CARE Group Leaders, please notify your
members of the decision for your group.)
(Children dismissed to Wee Worship)
TIMES & ATTENDANCE
Scripture Reading – Bob Anderson
Sermon – Bryan Collins
Invitation Song #779 – Without Him (v. 1,2) – Gene Threet
Sunday 9:00 a.m. Worship………………....................…...................….….247
Sunday 10:10 a.m. Bible Classes …………................................................. 222
Sunday 11:10 a.m. 2nd Worship Assembly ….............................................. 129
Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Bible Study ............................................................... 170
Week of March 22, 2015
Shepherds’ Moment & Closing Prayer – John Hayes
Count on Sundays in March (All Services)
Nestor Pozo & Jack Sparks
Nursery Attendants
Hispanic Congregation
Sunday Worship ………....…..........................................................................41
Sunday Adult Bible Class …...........................................................................16
Wednesday Adult Class ................................................................................... 9
Budget ………..…………….................................................….….. $ 9,200.00
Contribution .................................................................................... $ 6,728.10
9 a.m. – Sylvia Sane & Kay Sane
REMEMBER IN PRAYER
2nd WORSHIP ASSEMBLY
11:10 P.M.
HOSPITAL: Carmen Carillo – Ridgewood...Joanne Lyons – Hospice of
Chattanooga
RECOVERING/HOME/SHUT-IN/ON-GOING ILLNESS:
Yvonne Abernathy, Rickey Allmon, Minnie Anderson, Sherry Bales,
Julie Barton, Jaxon Beavers, Wayne Bell, Charles & Peggy Bennett,
Briseida Betterton, Dylan Bigelow, Doug Bingham, James & Larry
Blassingame, Jason Blaylock, Ruby Bramlett, Sandi Brown, Valor
Burnett, Jeff Chadwick, Charlotte Chaney, Edith Cherry, Jane Cherry,
Ellen Claiborne, Judy Clayton, Rick Cleland, Barbara Cloer, Bill &
Rebecca Cofer, Tom Cole, Yvonne Coley, Gabbi Cook, Bill Cornutt,
Hannah Cox, Jim Dalzell, Allie Daniel, Helen Dardin, Charles Doler,
Marie Dollar, Gary Earnhart, Don & Sue Evans, Turner Fordham, Joan
Foshee, Mark Foshee, Glenda Gardner, Judson & Sarah Gay, Nancy
Gowan, Katherine Green, Karen Griffus, Jon Griggs, Kandis Guice,
Brenda Hall, Richard Hall, Melinda Harrub, Debra Hickey, Tommy &
Judy Hoffpauir, Ben Holloway, Bruce Holloway, Lyndon Holloway, Ann
Houston, Joann Howell, Seaver Hudson, Barbara Jackson, Dennis
Jackson, Brad Jones, Lanie Jones, Barbara Judd, Diane Kinsey, Susan
Kouassi, Debbie Lanning, Carly Lewis, Hannah Locke, Gloria
Magnussen, Judy Malone, Jewel Mashburn, Renee Mathis, Jenny
Maynard, Betty Melson, Esme Miller, Gayle Miller, Trina Miller, Doug
& Sue Mitchell, Teresa Moore, Azalee Morgan, Lynn Moss, Josh
Mullins, Barry & Juanita Newman, Edra Nix, Sandra Parker, Tina Parker,
Justin Perkins, Kathryn Pressnell, Brodie Quinn, Jasper & Gladys Rogers,
Layfield Rous, Eddie Sane, Alwilda Shepherd, Brenda & Harold
Shepherd, Connie Shepherd, Hazel Shepherd, Martha Shepherd, Mike
Shepherd, Annastyn & Adrianna Shireman, Charlotte Silvers, Brandi &
Greg Smith, Jerry Smith, Laura Smith, Karen Stanley, Sara Stanley,
Debbie Steele, Jan Stone, Penny Stone, Tommy & Jimmie Stroud, Jim
Stuman, Malorie Suddeth, Jack & Eva Taylor, Cayden Tennant, Bill
Threet, Martin, Reatha & Jeff Tilley, Jocy Torres, Rosalia Torres, Sam
Vandergriff, Steve Weaver, Teresa Williams, Gladys Wilson, Steve &
Barbara Wilson, Cathy Woods, Claudell Woods
“Service Led by Young Men of Lads to Leaders”
Invitation Song #667 – There Is Power In The Blood (v. 1,3)
– Steve Barton
Closing Comments
Closing Song #667 – There Is Power In The Blood (v. 4)
– Steve Barton
Closing Prayer – Ross Jordan
Serve Communion during 2nd Service
Kelly Cherry & Jerry Wallace
(Communion is served in the Primetimers Classroom.
Dismissal during the Closing Song.)
Mark Your Calendar...
Deacons & Ministry Leaders Appreciation Day
is Sunday, April 19!
AREA HAPPENINGS
Retreat for Girls @ Camp Wetoga May 1-3
P.E.A.R.L. presents...
A Weekend At Tiffany’s – God & Co.
Sponsored by Boardtown Church of Christ
Speaker: Haley Scott Lessons will focus on Developing &
Strengthening Purity in Young Ladies!
RSVP by Apr. 15 for meals & lodging (706-515-5889)
Please notify Lanie when someone needs to be added or
taken off the prayer list!