CENTERVILLE MESSENGER (096380) Free Upon Request-Published Weekly by Centerville Church of Christ, 138 N. Central Ave., Centerville, TN 37033-1427

December 14, 2016 Volume XXXVI - Number 48

“I Hope You Know”

A quick look at the changing of the seasons, and the

nearness of all that accompanies this time of year and events which come with it. We are in the midst of the

holiday season, when families come together, and for some assemble after long periods of absence. These are special

times when so many gather and begin to reminisce of the days gone by. Special times of the year can bring pleasant

remembrances to many. But at the same time, for many more those special days (i.e., anniversaries, birthdays,

holidays) can be a time of hurt, not because of who is

present, but due to who is absent.

Much of this world can seem deeply burdensome, especially when it comes to the heavy weight of painful emotions. To

whom shall we turn in order to find strength and comfort when the weight of the world seems to bear down upon us?

May we accept two sources offered from the inspired pen of the Apostle Paul: The help of God and the help of His

people.

Among the many names of description our heavenly Father

has worn, we should never forget He forever remains the, “God of all comfort” in any age and through any trial (II

Corinthians 1:3). His comfort is offered in our tribulations, and should not be seen as common. The Psalmist would

name God as a “refuge and strength, and a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). God is not a place of hiding, but of

safety, of retreat back to a place we know comfort is

waiting. Where God is, there you know you can find strength to stand and once again face uncertainty. God’s

comfort is offered in the form of weathering hurts; deep hurts of the heart, and emerging the victor (Rom 8:37).

Paul teaches that God’s comfort is offered when

we are in tribulation, so that we will be able to help others when they face trouble, of any kind

(II Corinthians 1:4). It is hard to understand clearly why we suffer in the way and to the

degree we do at times. Yet when lessons such as this one from II Corinthians 1:4 are applied to

one’s understanding, we can better know that our hurt now, may be the help of a brother or

sister, or erring child of God in the future, in

order to help them stand once more. We should not count our tribulation as needless, but rather

as opportunity to be equipped to aid our brethren, once we have persevered.

If someone you know will be celebrating

without a dear loved one, and you too have felt the same sorrow, take time to remind him or her

of God’s comfort. In doing so, you will point

them back to the spiritual eternity of God’s people, and away from the physical limits of this

life. Take time to share with your brethren, and if you are hurting, please tell someone who will care with the care of God. It may just be they do not know how to help, but are willing to learn

with God’s comfort. I hope you know, your suffering, pain, or heartache, much like this time

of year, is but a season which will give way to a

new beginning in God’s good time and grace.

Centerville Church of Christ Volunteer Of The Year

Bobby Mayberry

ALWAYS A BIG NIGHT WHEN THERE IS A LIGHTHOUSE! We had a large crowd and an even larger time last Wednesday for our Lighthouse. Thanks to Brad, Michelle, Bailey & Dane Gilbert for hosting the night! THE WEEKEND WAS BUSY ONCE AGAIN! We began on Saturday morning with our annual Breakfast With Santa! This year was likely our biggest yet with well over 100 in attendance for some breakfast snacks, a lot of crafts and some great pictures with Santa himself. Thank you so

much to all the Junior & Senior High “elves” for their help. Thanks also to David & Kathy Brown and of course Misty for helping with setup, cleanup and a lot in between. A special thanks to Daniel & Mina Dressler for making sure Santa could join us! THE ANNUAL PROGRESSIVE DINNER was, as usual, spectacular! We began with appetizers hosted by Brian & Sandy Qualls. Next up was on to Soups & Salads hosted by Mike & Regina Elkins. We then went to evening worship and a chance for a little digestion. Next stop was the Main Course hosted by Matthew & Cissy Dotson and Belinda Potts. We ended the evening with Desserts and Dirty Christmas hosted by Chris & Jenny Teet. So much food and so much fun. Thanks to each of our hosts for making the night so memorable! WEDNESDAY, SUNSHINE BASKETS… We will begin preparation at 5 and as soon as we get them ready we will deliver several. Following that we will have supper together. Be sure to bring money for your supper and try to be here as close to 5 as you can. CAMP SNOWBALL XI is beginning to get several applications in. The dates are December 28-30 and there is so much planned for those 3 days. Download an application from our youth website or grab one at the youth news board. Be

sure to return yours by the December 21 deadline. You don’t want to miss it! HOW BLESSED WE ARE WITH SO MANY AWESOME YOUTH. In

much the same way we are equally blessed with our deacons and so many parents and adults who help out in many ways. While over the last few weeks we have had well over 100 young people involved in many different activities from several service projects all the way to Sunday night’s Progressive Dinner. Through all this we have had no less than 40 different parents and adults hosting and actively involved in those activities too. What a blessing it truly is to see the church function through and with families. It is our goal and prayer as a youth ministry to be an encouragement to the involvement of our families in the work and growth of our young people. Our youth ministry is never meant to replace anything the family does, but rather to support the nurturing and admonition of the Lord that is taught in our homes. May God continue to bless us as families, as parents, as children and as a church as we all strive to each day… follow His path, -Craig

Wed. Nights L2L

L2L Classroom in

Lighthouse

December 14

Sunshine Basket

Prep & Delivery 5-7

December 15

20/30 Regifted

Christmas

December 16

5th Quarter Lighthouse

After Game-11:30

Dec 16-Jan 3

Christmas Break

December 28-30

Camp Snowball

XI

Applications online

or at the Youth

News Board!

January 8

Youth, Parent &

Volunteer

Planning

Session

7pm

2016 Progressive Dinner

CONTRIBUTION $ 12,230.00

BUDGET

$ 12,784.oo

Camp Meribah $ 248.00

The following are recovering from surgery or dealing with an illness: Sammie Windsor, Louise Leathers, Sandy McFarlin, Lea Ann Buchanan, Kathleen Dunn, McKale Baltz, Henrietta Rochelle, Terry Johnston, Margaret James, Linda Mays, Bob Sutphin, Bruce Bowen, Susan Sullivan, Melissa Bryant, Danny Bates, Debbie Lancaster, Bessie Shepard, Jimmy Mathis, John Ed Hooten, Lindrell Barrett, Susan Campbell, Bonnie Runions, Gabriel Roberson, Sheryl Elkins, Richard Tate

Sunshine Baskets will be assembled on Wednesday night December 14th at 7:15 P.M. in the new lobby. If you know of someone you would like to add to the list, please contact the

church office at 931-729-4201. Please bring cookies & snacks to fill the baskets.

...Hattie Delk suffered a mild stroke and is

in the local hospital for therapy. ...Charles Minick is in St. Thomas West. ...Melissa Barber has returned home from the hospital. ...Sam Cooper, brother of Martha Leath, had a procedure done this week at Williamson Medical Center to clear the arteries in his legs.

Sunshine Baskets

Attention Secret Sisters !

Ken & Tina Dickerson write: “Dear Family, Thank you so much for the wonderful “Church For The Holidays” fellowship this past Sunday. We were overwhelmed! The decorations, delicious meal and the sweet program by the children were all amazing! God has blessed us by leading us to this wonderful

Christian family and we are so grateful. The gift was an added special bonus. Thank You !”

8th Annual

Sounds of the Season Presents:

“Home For The Holidays” Friday, December 16th

6:00 P.M.

Fairfield Church of Christ

Fellowship Hall

Featuring the music of:

Flat Rascals (Darin Cochran, John Hudspeth,

Philip Jacobs, Matthew Skelton,

Randy Prince, Joel Breece, Jeff

Breece)

Drinks and Finger Foods

Sympathy

...We express our sympathy to the family of Ryan Parnell who passed away. He was a relative of Carolyn Brown and Bert Mathis. ...We express our sympathy to the family of Judy Fenner who passed away. ...We express our sympathy to the family of Marie Rivers who passed away. She was the aunt of Linda (Dick) Smith. ...We express our sympathy to the family of Danny Johnston who passed away. He was the nephew of Johnnie Ruth Denton and cousin of Janice (Mike) Brown and Jennifer Buchanan.

Memorial

...a Memorial has been given to the Camp Meribah Scholarship Fund in memory of Kenneth (Moe) Wright by Doug & Billie Sue True. ...a Memorial has been given to the Youth Group in memory of Mary Frances Welch by Robert & Sandy Bryant.

December Events ...Dec. 14 Sunshine Baskets Prepared For Delivery ...Dec. 15 20/30’s Regifted Christmas ...Dec. 16 School Dismissed @ 10a

...Dec. 25th

Worship Service at 9am

(No Bible Class) Devotional Service at 6pm

...Dec. 28th NO MESSENGER

Baptism

...We rejoice with

Lamar Harris who was baptized December 7,

2016 by members of the Jail Ministry.

Thank You

If you plan to participate in 2017 please turn in your form by December 31st!

A Baby Girl !

Coleen Williams became a new grandma when her son Jeff and his wife Adrienne adopted a precious little baby girl last month. Her name is

Laney Calloway Williams and she was born November 14, 2016. They live near Bowling Green.

A Baby Girl !

Congratulations to Jonathon & June Horner on the birth of a baby girl December 5, 2016. Jada Rosalee Horner weighed 7 lbs. 1 oz. and is 19 1/2 inches long.

Place

Stamp

Here

If you are scheduled to serve in Worship and are unable, please take the responsibility to secure

your replacement and contact one of the following:

Dorris Claud 931-729-2933 Lonnie Mayberry 931 -242-2644 John Bradley 931-994-7358

Prayer Week Of December 18

S.M.W. S.M.D.

Michael Bryant Daniel Poff S.E.W. S.E.D.

Ken Dickerson Stephen Dotson

W.E.B.S. W.E.D Philip Jacobs Colby Shelton

Read Scripture 12/18: Cody Woods 12/25: Brett Martin

Elders’ Prayer

12/18: Wayne Qualls

Wait on Table 3rd Sunday

Luke Worsham

4th Sunday Griffin Elkins

Left Side Grady Teet

Lincoln Smith Jared Brown

Andrew Sullivan

Right Side Jake Martin Luke Brown

Connor McAlister Gage Dotson

Alternates Houston Hudgins

John Jacobs

For Our Families Photo Albums Journals Lotion Gift Sets Perfume Gift Sets Gift Cards (Fast Food Restaurants, Target, Wal-Mart, Dollar General, iTunes DVD’s Infant socks/Booties/Rattles/Baby Toys/ Baby Dolls

Ronald McDonald House Charities Of Nashville Presents Our Holiday Wish List

Can you help make our wishes come true ? Imagine being far from home during the holidays and facing the critical illness of your child. That’s the reality facing the 32 families who call our House their home each night this holiday season and we ask you to help us make the holidays a little bit brighter for them by donating items on our holiday wish list. We can’t cure illnesses but we can make sure

families are together to deliver daily doses of hugs, kisses and reassuring smiles.

Bottles, Infant receiving blankets, Toys (Ages 2-10), Sports Equipment, Arts Supplies, Craft Sets ,Diapers (Sizes NB and 1) Premie Clothing, Infant Clothing, Socks, Gloves, Winter Hats, Scarves

For The House Pillow Protectors, Microwaves, Flat Screen TV with built in DVD Player (20 inch) Trash Bags (all sizes) Laundry Detergent, Paper Plates, Plastic Cups, Dryer Sheets, Box Fans, Vacuum Cleaners (Bagless), Crib Sheets, Paper Towels, Electric Can Openers, Hand-held Can Openers, Ping Pong Paddles and balls, Cookie Sheets, Griddle, Dish Towels, /Dish Cloths/Pot Holders, Rubber Mats For Inside Tub, Standard Size Pillows, Alarm Clocks With Radio, Silverware, Microwaveable/Dishwasher Safe Ceramic Cereal Bowl, Gift Cards (Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart,

Target) Drop-Off Information 9:00 A.M.—6:00 P.M. Monday-Friday 2144 Fairfax Avenue Nashville, Tennessee 37212

Breakfast With Santa