James 5:16b. “The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.” (NASB) James 5:16b “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (KJV) These are some of the most amazing statements regarding the power and the effectiveness of prayer. But these are more than just statements, their truth is backed up throughout the many generations of Godly men and women down through the ages. My guess is that you can find answered prayers in your life’s story as well. Often because we forget to write down our requests I think we miss seeing the divine answers that we probably receive all the time. Yet, prayer is still a struggle for most. We can’t find time for it. We don’t really know how to do it and well let’s face it, most people aren’t sold that it’s all that powerful. Some treat prayer like a last ditch effort saying, “We’ve tried everything else I guess we should pray.” However, I don’t think that James said, “The prayers of the desperate availeth much.” Don’t get me wrong, God does answer desperate prayers because sometimes these are the most fervent prayers, but wouldn’t it be great if the righteous prayed fervent prayers all the time! With that thought in mind, I’m calling the church to pray (not because we are desperate) but because God has big and important plans for us and because there are many people in our community who are desperate to know Jesus. For that reason, the elders and I have called next month to be a “Month of Prayer for God’s people and the Church.” And there are many ways you can participate. It would be great if many of us attended the Ministerial Association “Fifth Sunday Prayer Service” on September 30th as a great kick off to the month (see page 7). You can also participate by signing up for our church’s Prayer Walk (see page 1). If God has put it on your heart you may want to take the challenge of participating in the “Prayer Drive” sponsored by the Alliance for Community Transformation and MACA (page 7). Other great ways to be effectual in your fervent prayer is to participate in one of our prayer related meetings on Wednesday. Each Wednesday at 10 a.m. we meet in the parlor to focus on prayer needs of our members, or join us for Kingdom Seekers Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. as we have a time of worship, study of God’s word, and prayer for our church and community. Of course, your private prayers are important as well. Perhaps you’d like to pick up the “Secret Place Devotional” or other devotional as a spring board. I believe that God wants to “availeth much” through our church if we week His wisdom, if we believe in His power, if we walk in righteousness and prayer!  STARTING IN OCTOBER 1 THROUGH NOVEMBER 3
During this service of prayer and worship we will offer ourselves, our gifts and our talents to the Lord and to the service of His church. During the service you will be asked to bring forward an estimate of giving card and to include what God has placed upon your heart to give to the Lord for the church’s ministry in the next calendar year. It is a great celebration when we offer ourselves to the Lord. Consecration Sunday will be the culminating celebration of our month pf prayer. Following the service we will enjoy a dinner together. Our annual Chili Cook-off will be October 28, at 5:30 p.m. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall for judging of the “Best Chili at First Christian.” Get your recipes and your taste buds ready for this fun event. There will also be games for the children. The nominating Ministry Team will be meeting over the next few months to determine candidates for different functions within the church’s organization, which include the deacons, deaconess, elders, official board, and trustees. If anyone would be interested in assisting in any of these positions, please let Pastor Tim, Tina DeJane, Lucy Mead, Sonya Dulabahn, Maxine Emmons, or Rubyan Browning know. Once the nominating committee has finalized the list of names who have accepted the roles, this list will be presented to the official board for recommendation. Once that is complete, the Vice President of the Congregation will present the list to the congregation. Disciples Elders Retreat We have encouraged all of our Elders to attend the Elder’s Workshop as a means of growning in our relationship with Christ, and growing in our understanding of how to be effective Elders. We will leave the church at 8:15 a.m.
The Church World Service TOOL OF HOPE AND BLANKET PROGRAM creates a rainbow of help and hope each time the right tool is placed in the hands of people in need. If it empowers people and brings a better tomorrow, it’s a tool of hope! Things that we often take for granted like…blankets, clean water, education, tents, garden tools, seeds, can make a world of difference for people devastated by tragedy, as well as those working to build a better life for themselves and their communities. Here’s what your generous donation can do: Please give generously to the TOOLS OF HOPE AND BLANKETS PROGRAM On Sunday, Sept. 16, Pastor Tim recognized those who will be teaching our Sunday School classes. We want to thank them for their service to the church. They are: Tina DeJane, Cindy Brown, Ruth Jess, Julia Strazi Rubyan Browning, Russ Kear and Faye Gray. What a great time we had as we kicked off our fall season and got everyone back into the swing of things. During the worship service Rubyan Browning and Genevieve Zavasky presented the church with two banners (one for the sanctuary and one for fellowship hall) with our church logo and our statement of “Seeking, Sharing, Serving Christ.” Others on their team were Barb Baker, Dee Schuler and Cindy Brown. We thank them for the beautiful banners that will enhance our facility and let others know of our mission. Those who stayed after worship enjoyed a wonderful covered dish luncheon. We want to thank everyone that made this event a success.
We are presently planning on going to the home of Stefanie and Keith Moser for a bonfire and wiener roast. Bring snack foods. Hot dogs, buns and beverage will be provided. Other activities are also being planned. Watch your mailbox for more information. NOVEMBER 17 All ages are invited to join as we walk down Lincoln Way singing Christmas carols and passing out brochures about our church and activities during the Advent season. What a great way to share the Good News about our Savior with the Massillon community. OCTOBER 7 AND 21 Following worship service, the youth will meet in the Youth Room for a time of food, fun, fellowship and devotions. October 7, will focus on planning. Come out, don't miss the fun. For more details see Sonya Dulabahn. Please mark your calendar and watch for more details. “Youth to the Rescue” is again offering their services to help take care of your yard for the fall. If you need assistance please contact the church office, or take an application in the hallway across from the old office upstairs. If you need our help, we are happy to serve you. Youth to the rescue is a ministry of the Junior and Senior High youth (so youth, please mark your calendars for that day). We will start in the morning. More information and details will come as we see how many homes we will be doing this year.
Lydia Circle The Lydia Circle has been cancelled for the month of October. Esther Circle The Esther Circle will meet on October 3, at 7:00 p.m. The Well The Well, a younger women's Bible Study and fellowship, will meet monthly on the 3rd Tuesday evening, 7-8:15 p.m. Our first evening will be October 16. We will begin a Women of Faith study called "Living Above Worry and Stress." Bring your Bible and a notebook or journal. We will meet in the parlor. Child care will be provided. For questions, contact Cindy Brown.
The CCW is sponsoring a Rummage Sale on Saturday, October 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations may be brought into the basement area (under Fellowship Hall) 9 a.m.-2 p.m. during the week. Please put your donations up on the tables so they won't get wet in case of heavy rain. Most of the proceeds will be donated to our Church's General Fund. They will not be having a lunch, but chicken noodle and bean soup will be available to purchase at a cost of $2 a pint and $4 a quart. ALL WOMEN of our church are invited to our General CCW Meeting to be held in our Fellowship Hall on Monday, September 24, at 7 p.m. The newly formed outreach group has decided to meet every Monday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. starting on October 1. They will also meet on the third Tuesday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome to join in this mission group. If you don't know how to sew, knit or crochet, we'd be glad to teach you. You may come each week or whenever your schedule will allow. Our first project will be making hats, scarves, mittens and slippers for needy or homeless persons. If you have yarn that you would like to donate, we will see if we can use it for our projects. Monetary gifts are also being requested so we can purchase supplies to get us started. Contact Genevieve Zavasky with items, or money may be placed in the offering plate marked "Busy Hands".
The paper bin will return on October 1, and will be in our parking lot for one month. Please join us in Fellowship Hall on October 7, following the worship service for a time of refreshments and fellowship. The Lydia Circle will be the hostesses. Quality Heating and Cooling is offering an Energy Savings Agreement (ESA) to First Christian Church and its members. With the purchase of an ESA, Quality will go to the customer’s house twice a year (spring and fall) and do maintenance tune up on their furnaces in the fall and air conditioning in the spring which is suggested by all manufacturers. By purchasing an ESA through First Christian Church, Quality will donate $20 for each new service contract, and $10 for each renewed contract to the church. If friends or relatives of the church member purchase an agreement they may inform Quality that it is through First Christian also. Quality Heating and Cooling currently have 1100 customers that take advantage of their ESA Program. The cost of the program is $180 per year. You may contact Quality at 330-833-6025 for a copy of the agreement or stop in the church office. We would love to offer to help you. We have decided to mark the first Sunday of each month as “Membership Sunday”. If you’re interested in joining the church you can come forward on that Sunday during the invitation hymn, which follows the Sermon. It may be more comfortable for some of you to come forward if you know you’re not the only one. Also, the first Sunday is usually our fellowship time and this would be a great time for the congregation to celebrate with you. Of course you are welcome to come forward any Sunday that you would like, especially when you want to make a first time confession of faith in Christ, in response to the leading of the Holy Spirit. So what do you have to do to join? You may want to talk with the pastor about your intention so he can talk further with you and answer any questions you might have about the church. However, all that you need to do to become a member is to confess your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and to make a decision to be a part of our fellowship to serve the Lord. When you come forward during the service you will be asked two questions, one about your faith in Christ and one about your intention to be a member. As a member we encourage you to become a part of the life of the church in worship service, through use of your gifts, financial support of the ministry, and in fellowship, but your involvement in these areas is up to how God leads you without pressure from us. Perhaps you have other questions. Please call Pastor Brown at the office. An Event for Pastors and Lay Leadership Saturday, October 13 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. At Gender Road Christian Church In Canal Winchester, Ohio Cost $20 Conference sponsored by the Christian Church In Ohio Congregational Transformation Team This conference will focus on sharing information, stories and the heart of transformation for congregations throughout Ohio. Pastor Brown will be participating as a facilitator along with others on the Congregational Transformation Team. Please contact the pastor if you want to come. Applications are available in the office. September 30, 2007 6:00 p.m. At Tree of Life Church, 212 Federal Ave. NE
Please join other Christians around Massillon who come together to worship and pray for our community. Remember “the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.” Let us join together because we care about our community. Sponsored by Faith in Action of Western Stark County September 27th 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. At Santangelo’s (1008 9th St. SW) Don’t miss this wonderful Health Fair complete with speakers, prizes, food, free blood pressure checks, cholesterol screening and more. There is also a free breakfast. Of course there will be many displays. October 25 through November 1, 2007 Each person is asked to travel by car with a passenger and pray as they travel an assigned 2-1/2 mile route which travels around the parameter of Stark County. Each team will receive a map and a list of prayer prompts to use as a guide if you would like to use them. Prayer teams will lift up schools, churches, business, neighborhoods, safety service workers, government agencies, etc, with the goal that God would transform our county through the power of prayer. The drive is sponsored by the Alliance for Community Transformation and the Massillon Area Clergy Association. Contact Prayer Drive Coordinator Pastor Wayne Maddy of Tree of Life Church. October 24, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Maxim Health Systems will hold a flu shot clinic again this year in our Fellowship Hall. The costs will be $30 for Flu shots and $40 for Pneumonia shots. They will also accept Medicare Part B, Hometown Insurance, Aetna Insurance, Medicare Complete HMO. Watch for posters around the church.
WEEKLY:
Oct 01 - Paper bin in the parking lot for 1 month |