Sunday, September 26th, 2010

Englishman Robert Raikes, born in 1735, was a Christian who saw unschooled children working six days a week in factories and mines. On Sundays, children roamed the streets, often getting into trouble. Most didn’t know how to read or write and knew nothing about Christ or the church.

As Raikes labored to reform England’s prison system, he noticed that many children were imprisoned. He arranged for halls and homes to be used for educational purposes on Sundays, the one day children didn’t have to work. He found volunteers to teach reading, writing and math, as well as the Bible and Christian beliefs.

The first Sunday school class was held in July, 1780. Amazingly, by 1788 some 250,000 children were attending such schools. This occurred despite some people’s opposition to the education of lower-class children.

Countless boys and girls have attended Sunday school classes since then, thanks to Raikes, who brought Christ’s light and love to children around the world.

Children's Bible Quizzing is over the book of Samuel today at 5:30 p.m. This is an excellent program to help children learn and understand the Scriptures.

Pray-ers will gather this Monday 8:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary and pray for a multitude of requests.

Small group discipleship is each Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Praise team singers practice at 7:00 p.m.

Children's mission study is given by Mandy Davis each Wednesday beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Next Sunday our church board will 'eat & meet' following the morning service.

Recycle your computer printer cartridges Bring your used printer cartridges to the church and place them in the white box in the foyer. These are cashed in for church and daycare office supplies.

Hagerstown Faith Housing has one and two bedroom apartments with limited rental assistance for those who qualify. Appliances, weekly trash service, and central air provided. Phone Floyd Sanders, 489-4898.

The repair of our church waterline was $4,171. Last Sunday you gave $1,252 toward the cost of the project. Let's reach this goal. Mark your gift "waterline."

Our alabaster gift so far received is $265.27. This monetary gift purchases land, building material for churches, parsonages, health clinics, and equipment for our missionaries. We'll receive your alabaster gift to the end of the month.

Seth, Jasmine, and Kathie are moving to Texas very soon. Seth has been promoted to a corporate level job within his company. We wish him and his family the best. They will be very much missed.

Seth has developed our sight and sound system for several years. There is a lot to it. We need others to step in and continue this ministry. He will lead a training session for those who are interested following this morning's worship service.

Hoodlebrink/Houghton Fundraiser is set for next Friday at the elementary cafeteria. This community event is supported by area churches and businesses to help these families in their medical bills. Our church is providing two roasters of spaghetti. Let Pastor know if you can prepare a roaster. The church will purchase the ingredients.

Laymen's retreat is set for October 29-31. This is a weekend retreat for our lay people on the district. No ministers are permitted. Our church has had a great group to go, and they have a lot of fun along with the spiritual impact upon their lives.

Deadline for registration is October 19. This has been a neat time for couples

Collingsworth Family will be the featured guest singers at the district PrimeTime event at Indy First Church, Thursday, November 4, beginning 6:30 p.m. The cost is $17. We have already ordered 10 tickets. This includes an evening meal and the featured singing. You may place your $17 in the offering plate and mark it "PrimeTime."

Church Calendar:

Sat. Oct. 2: Men's Prayer Breakfast
Fri. - Sun. Oct. 29-31: Laymen's Retreat
Thu. Nov. 4: Collingsworth Family, 6:30 p.m.

September Finances
MONTHLY GIVING	Received Last Sunday the 19th	Received So Far For The Month	Budget For The Month
Tithes and Offerings	2,552.28	5,679.89	6,000.00
Building Fund Loan	95.00	479.00	696.89
Missions Alabaster	50.50 260.27	174.03 265.27	500.00 500.00

Matthew 6:33“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

September 19, 2010

"[God] works on us in all sorts of ways. But above all, He works on us through each other.

[People] are mirrors, or 'carriers' of Christ to other [people]. Usually it is those who know Him that bring Him to others. That is why the Church, the whole body of Christians showing Him to one another, is so important. It is so easy to think that the Church has a lot of different objects — education, building, missions, holding services. ... The Church exists for no other purpose but to draw [people] into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time."

"The Son of God became the Son of man for no other purpose than the sons of men may become the sons of God. It is even doubtful… whether the whole universe was created for any other reason." — adapted from C.S. Lewis

“A cheerful heart is good medicine” Proverbs 17:22

An efficiency expert concluded his lecture with a note of caution. "You don't want to try these techniques at home." "Why not?" asked somebody from the audience."I watched my wife's routine at breakfast for years," the expert explained. "She made lots of trips between the refrigerator, stove, table and cabinets, often carrying a single item at a time. One day I told her, 'Hon, why don't you try carrying several things at once?'" "Did it save time?" the guy in the audience asked. "Actually, yes," replied the expert. "It used to take her 20 minutes to make breakfast. Now I do it in seven."

Thank you, Monty, for supervising the project to replace the main water line to the church.

Thank you, Chris, for taking the ladies to the district Ladies Day in Indianapolis.

Prayer Gathering meets every Mondays 8:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Come and pray.

Children's Bible Quizzing over the book of Samuel is today at 5:30 p.m. with Mandy Davis and Shawn and Vicky Tackett directing.

This is an excellent program for children to learn the Scriptures.

Small group discipleship is each Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Praise team singers practice at 7:00 p.m. Anyone interested can join in the practice.

Recycle your computer printer cartridges Bring your used printer cartridges to the church and place them in the white box in the foyer. These are cashed in for church and daycare office supplies.

Children's mission study is given by Mandy Davis each Wednesday beginning at 6:30 p.m.

See-You-At-The Pole is set for this Wednesday, September 22, beginning 7:00 a.m. at the elementary and the high school.

Alabaster Giving is today. This monetary gift purchases land, building material for churches, parsonages, health clinics, and equipment for our missionaries. We'll also receive donations to the end of the month.

Hagerstown Faith Housing has one and two bedroom apartments with limited rental assistance for those who qualify. Appliances, weekly trash service, and central air provided. Phone Floyd Sanders, 489-4898.

Religion Is Good for Humanity
According to a new Family Research Council study, religious practice in the home has a significant, positive effect on a child's level of academic achievement. The study showed that the grade-point average of students involved in religious activities is 14 percent higher than those not involved. It also shows that religious students spend more time on their homework.

Church Calendar:

Wed. Sep 22: See-You-At-The-Pole
Fri. - Sun. Oct. 19-21: Laymen's Retreat
Thu. Nov. 4: Collingsworth Family, 6:30 p.m.

Joel 2:23“Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Sunday, September 12th, 2010

“With rejoicing we welcome you to worship.

It pleases our heavenly Father for His children to be gathered in His house on the Lord's Day."

The story is told of a teen boy tending a flock of sheep near his home in Jerusalem. One large sheep made a break for it climbing up the slope away from the rest of the flock. The lad left his flock and began chasing the bull-headed sheep. He yelled, threw rocks, swung his staff, until he caught up and grabbed the sheep. He whacked the sheep with his hand a couple of times and dragged the whining sheep back down the hill. As he neared the flock the errant sheep gave up on its resistance and joined the fold.

Many times a pastor has had the similar job of searching those who have 'made a break.' Sometimes he's successful, sometimes not.

This reminds us of the Good Shepherd who comes seeking after us when we try to 'make our break.' If understood correctly the Good Shepherd allows scolding and chastisement to come our way trying to beckon us back to the fold. He relentlessly pursues until we realize the error of our ways and return to the flock with a restored relationship with the Good Shepherd. Jesus said that there is a big party in heaven over one returning than over 99 righteous.

“A cheerful heart is good medicine” Proverbs 17:22

A police officer answered a call from the local Catholic Convent about a strange object circling overhead.

When the officer arrived, he asked the Mother Superior what kind of object it was. "I really can't say," she replied, "But Sister Elizabeth says she knows exactly what it was. Do you want to speak with her?"

"That's ok, I'm in a hurry," said the officer, "I'll just put it down as a nun-identified flying object."

Thanks to all who made a great time of fellowship last Labor Day Weekend church fellowship. The children loved the slippy slide as the adults loved the grilled hamburgers and hotdogs. Thanks, Don, for setting up the game activities.

Thanks to Allan, Carol and all who helped Derek with Wednesday's fundraiser at Farmer's Market. His goal is to raise $999 for his NYC (Nazarene Youth Congress) trip to Louisville, KY, next July.

Thank you, Monty, for a great Saturday with our teens. They weren't able to do the tubing due to the weather. But they bowled, ate pizza, and watch an inspirational movie.

Small group discipleship is each Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Praise team singers practice at 7:00 p.m. Anyone interested can join in the practice.

Children's Bible Quizzing over the book of Samuel begins today at 5:30 p.m. with Mandy Davis and Shawn and Vicky Tackett directing.

This is one of the best programs the church has for children to learn the Scriptures.

Prayer Gathering will meet this Monday 8:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary to mainly pray.

Alabaster Giving is next Sunday, September 19. This monetary gift purchases land, building material for churches, parsonages, health clinics, and equipment for our missionaries.

Marj Shepherd and work & witness team will present their ministry event in Haiti. There are lots of pictures showing their work with the Haitians.

Children's mission study will be offered by Mandy Davis each Wednesday beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Ladies District Event is set for next Saturday. The ladies will travel to Gracepointe Church of the Nazarene. They will depart 7:00 a.m.

The following school supplies are needed for Shepherd Community Children: colored pencils, construction paper, crayons, folders, makers, pencils, pens, regular lined paper, and glue sticks.

Total NYI Youth Rally is set for next Saturday, September 18, with Allan beginning at 7:00 p.m. All teens are invited to participate in this youth event.

Hagerstown Faith Housing has one and two bedroom apartments with limited rental assistance for those who qualify. Appliances, weekly trash service, and central air provided. Phone Floyd Sanders, 489-4898.

Church Calendar:

Sun. Sep 12: National Grandparents Day

Sun. Sep 12: Church Board Meeting

Sat. Sep 18: District Women's Ministries Event

Sat. Sep 18: Total NYI Youth Rally with Allan

Sun. Sep 19: Marj's Haiti Trip Presentation

Alabaster Offering for Missions

Wed. Sep 22: See-You-At-The-Pole

Sun. Sep. 29: NYI Youth Gathering with Allan

Fri. - Sun. Oct. 19-21: Laymen's Retreat

Thu. Nov. 4: Collingsworth Family, 6:30 p.m.

Have a blessed day!

 

Remember to share the FB page with your friends.

 

1 John 4:16“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Sunday, September 5th, 2010

On this Labor Day weekend, it’s hard not to think about how unemployment has affected many people in our communities and churches. Congregations with unemployed members have a calling to help however they can.

Some churches provide job fairs; some have regular meetings to help unemployed people cope. Some churches provide food and other necessities. Those who can should hire an unemployed brother or sister in Christ at a fair wage. The entire congregation should pray regularly for unemployed people.

Christians who’ve lost their jobs should know they still have work to do. The church always needs volunteers, and unemployed people can serve the Lord and help the church’s mission.

Charles Wesley made every Christian’s “work” clear in his hymn “A Charge to Keep I Have”:

A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify,

A never-dying soul to save and fit it for the sky,

To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill;

O may it all my powers engage to do my Master’s will!

“A cheerful heart is good medicine” Proverbs 17:22

A police officer answered a call from the local Catholic Convent about a strange object circling overhead.

When the officer arrived, he asked the Mother Superior what kind of object it was. "I really can't say," she replied, "But Sister Elizabeth says she knows exactly what it was. Do you want to speak with her?"

"That's ok," said the police officer, "I'll just put it down as a nun-identified flying object."

A never-dying soul to save and fit it for the sky,

To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill;

O may it all my powers engage to do my Master’s will!

Thanks to all who helped Derek with yesterday's car wash. He's working to attend NYC (Nazarene Youth Congress) in Louisville, KY, next summer. Dominique, Cheyenne, Hayley, Chris, and Pastor helped Derek wash 12 cars and trucks. His goal is to raise $999 for his trip.

Please see the sign-up sheet to bring baked goods to sell at the Elementary Farmers Market this Wednesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Small group discipleship is each Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Praise team singers practice at 7:00 p.m. Anyone interested can join in the practice.

Recycle your computer printer cartridges Bring your used printer cartridges to the church and place them in the white box in the foyer. These are cashed in for church and daycare office supplies.

Children's Bible Quiz is one of the best programs the church has for children to learn the Scriptures. This year they will study the book of Samuel from the Old Testament. They will start next Sunday.

Prayer Gathering will not meet this Monday because of Labor Day holiday. We'll meet next week.

Thank You for your faithful giving to the ministry of the Hagerstown Church of the Nazarene. We were able to come out ahead for the month of August.

Hagerstown Faith Housing has one and two bedroom apartments with limited rental assistance for those who qualify. Appliances, weekly trash service, and central air provided. Phone Floyd Sanders, 489-4898.

National Grandparents Day is next Sunday. All grandparents are to submit pictures of their grand-children for the congregation to guess. This will be fun.

Church Board will 'eat and meet' next Sunday following the morning worship service.

Teen tubing is planned for next Saturday, September 11. We will leave the church at 11:00 a.m. and travel to Connersville for tubing with a cookout afterwards. Then on to Richmond for bowling. We will return to the church for pizza and movies. We'll sleep at the church Saturday night, eat breakfast Sunday morning, and attend bible study and church. Bring a change of clothing suitable for church on Sunday.

This is for sixth grade through college freshmen.

The cost is $25 for the tubing and bowling. A couple of dollars is needed for snacks at the bowling alley.

Donations of hamburgers, hotdogs, buns, drink and pizza is appreciated at our departure time. We're expecting 12 to 20 to attend. -Monty Sutton

Church Calendar:

Mon. Sep 6: Labor Day

Wed. Sep 8: Farmer's Market Fundraiser

Sat. Sep 11: Teen Tubing with Monty, 11:00 a.m.

Sun. Sep 12: National Grandparents Day

Sun. Sep 12: Church Board Meeting

Sat. Sep 18: District Women's Ministries Event

Sat. Sep 18: Total NYI Youth Rally with Allan

Sun. Sep 19: Marj's Haiti Trip Presentation

Alabaster Offering for Missions

Wed. Sep 22: See-You-At-The-Pole

Sun. Sep. 29: NYI Youth Gathering with Allan

Final August Finances
MONTHLY GIVING	Received Last Sunday the 29th	Received For The Month	Disbursed For The Month
Tithes and Offerings	1,690.50	6,559.70	5,120.59
Building Fund Loan	30.00	654.00	696.89
Missions	55.00	570.25	626.65