October 22, 2014
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
Every week my daughters ask when Kids Church is coming back. It is hard to explain to them, we are waiting on God’s timing. That is hard for my own mind to grasp! I do miss this ministry, but also trust that God will raise it up when it is time. Yesterday I was reading a blog for a lesson when I came across this article. I thought it was good and wanted to share it with you.
I’m about to make a statement that most pastors wouldn’t dare to utter:
Children’s Ministry may be the most important ministry in the church.
Here’s why: Children’s Ministry could be the first place a child has an encounter with Jesus Christ. While research shows us that parents remain the most important faith influencers in their children’s lives, our ministries play an important part in coming alongside of families to reach their children for Jesus.
As a Family Ministries Pastor, one of the findings in the Sticky Faith research that really stuck out to me was the fact that the trajectories of where our teens will end up in their faith are set during the childhood years. In other words, if we have an idea of what we want our teens to know or at least be exposed to when they graduate high school, we need to start thinking about that when they enter the nursery, not when they enter their senior year. Children’s ministries are helping set the foundations of faith that should be built on the gospel. We, as those who love Jesus and love our children, need to take this fact very seriously.
Because what we do in Children’s Ministry has great implications in the future for how our teens view the gospel, Jesus, and the church, there are certain aspects of the Sticky Faith research that can help inform the way we lead our children:
Involve Parents Early and Often.
Dr. Christian Smith from the University of Notre Dame conducted thousands of surveys with parents and their teens about religion. His conclusion was that “the most important social influence in shaping young people’s religious lives is the religious life modeled and taught to them by their parent.” Parents have to be involved in our ministries. We have to keep them informed, help train them, and provide opportunities for them to interact with their children in a spiritual way.
To be continued . . . . – Pannell
FEELING THE LORD'S SUPPER (Part Two)
Last week, I made the overgeneralization that we tend to have one of two feelings when it comes to practicing the Lord’s Supper. We either have a solemn feeling or a joyful feeling. Those who lean in the solemn direction are often characterized by an emphasis on practicing the Lord’s Supper correctly. The solemn folk often prompt feelings of fear making reference to First Corinthians, “whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord” (1 Cor 11:27). On the other hand, we have the joyful folk who emphasize the theme of an eschatological feast. The feeling is one of celebration as we feast with the Lord anticipating His return (“Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” Rev 19:9). We are to rejoice and sing that our sins are forgiven and Christ is coming again to take us into his bosom.
I find it interesting that those who lean in the solemn direction typically refer to the Lord’s Supper as a “memorial” and those who emphasize a feast talk of “celebrating” the Lord’s Supper. So should we sing or sob during the Lord’s Supper? Now I imagine, given this narrow characterization of feelings surrounding to the Lord’s Supper, most would prefer to feel joy and not sorrow.
Last week, I subtly (or not so subtly…smile) hinted that the passage from First Corinthians on partaking of the Lord’s Supper in a “worthy manner” is often a misused passage. Consider the context of how the Corinthians were practicing the Lord’s Supper in an “unworthy manner.” Paul says, “When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk” (1 Cor 11:20-21). Paul also makes the connection that “anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself” (11:29). So the Corinthians were engaging in the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner by not “waiting for anybody else,” and eating without all the members present. In addition, the Corinthian congregation was not sharing their food with those who had none, thus promoting false class distinctions within the Lord’s Church. In other words, the Corinthians were not “recognizing the body of the Lord” in not treating their brothers and sisters in Christ as actual brothers and sisters—family! The drunkenness of some of the Corinthians, as bad as that is in-and-of itself, highlighted more the false divisions the Corinthian congregation was making.
Now how would you feel coming to a meal where the guests ate without you and left you with nothing? How would you feel if you sat hungry as others ate to their heart’s content? Paul further instructs the Corinthians and us, “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ” (12:12). James warns us, “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here's a good seat for you,’ but say to the poor man, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit on the floor by my feet,’ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2:1-4). First John says, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20). The Lord’s Supper is not just about how you feel about the Lord, but how you feel about your brothers and sisters in Christ sitting next to you!
To be continued . . . . – Terry
REFRESH AND RENEWAL
The Elders would like to inform you of some upcoming special events in the life of West Main Church of Christ. We are planning some unique times of fellowship and worship in the upcoming year. The elders, deacons, and ministers have all pledged to be present and participate in leading the congregation in this time of renewal.
In the month of January, as a congregation, we are calling upon the Lord to grant us “times of refreshing.” We are calling upon the Lord to show us a clear vision as to the future direction of the West Main Church of Christ. What can you do now? Pray. Pray daily along with our servant leaders.
Here are the key dates and times we desire you to especially attend:
January 11: Sunday morning worship
January 14: Wednesday evening, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
January 16-17: 24 Hour prayer
January 17: 6-9:00 p.m.
January 18: Sunday morning worship
January 24-25: 24 hour prayer
January 25: Sunday morning worship
In the next couple of months, we will share more specific details as to what exactly we will be doing as a gathered Body of Christ on the above listed dates. Please carefully examine these dates, make the necessary adjustments, and pray for “times of refreshing.”
Come Celebrate with Us -- We will be celebrating our 64th Anniversary as a church family on October 26th. Please invite your friends, neighbors, and former members to join us for this very special service. Please bring plenty of your favorite dishes to share with our guests. Plan now to join us as we celebrate our special day!
Our Adopted Children -- Now is the time that we start saving to send extra money for our Christmas gifts for our adopted children. We need to send our extra funds in November in order for them to get the money in time to purchase gifts for the children. Please be generous with your donations when the donation can is passed around in Sunday morning class OR you may write a check and place it in a contribution envelope marked CRF. Thank you for all of your support for our children.
****The Bible Busters 3rd and 4th Grade Class will be holding a bake sale this Sunday, October 26th, to help raise money for our adopted children. Bring your wallets and help our kids raise money for a good cause.
Thanksgiving Dinner -- We will be serving Thanksgiving Dinner at the building on Thursday, November 27. at 2:00 p.m. Laura Drew is the contact person. Please give her a call to find out how you can help. Be watching for more information in the coming weeks.
Calling All Performers ! ! ! -- If anyone is interested in participating in this year’s Christmas Program or helping in any way, please sign up on the bulletin board in the back of the auditorium. This year’s program will take place on Saturday, December 20. Contact person is Meagan Delgado.
Attention Youth Group: Since Sunday is Anniversary Sunday and most of us will be staying for the potluck, it will be a long day. As such, we will NOT have youth group Sunday night. Please enjoy the night together as a family.
Coffee Servers are needed for the month of December. Please sign up on the sheet posted in the hallway by the stairs. Thank you for all of your help.
Prayer Requests . . . . For Ed Way who is now undergoing chemotherapy...For the family of Ruth Stiehl - her sister and brother-in-law both passed away from carbon monoxide poisoning recently...For a friend of Cameron Sweet, Tommy Winningham, who broke his leg and dislocated his ankle last Friday during the football game - he underwent surgery on his leg this week - please pray for his complete and speedy healing...For Jenny Way to be more courageous and find satisfaction in her life...Continued prayers for Russell Sutherlin for his collarbone to heal...For Buddy Denzer as a car backed into him while he was on his bike - he seems to be doing okay...Barbara Logsdon has been released from rehab and is staying with friends while she recuperates...For our President and all of our military men, women and families.
Thank You Note -- I wish to thank everyone for the prayers, flowers and support regarding my recent surgery. I am improving daily and hope to return to church as soon as possible. Liz Dunlap
Newborns -- Ed and Severta Shipley are pleased to announce the birth of two great-grandsons this past week. Gabriel Kennen, was born on October 16th. Proud parents are David and Julie Kennen (Cate). Shepherd Cate was born on October 20th. Proud parents are David and Melissa Cate. Proud grandparents are Lyndle and Debbie Cate. Congratulations to all!
Calendar of Events
October 26: Anniversary Sunday
November 27: Thanksgiving Dinner; 2:00 p.m.; FSR
