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

December 5, 2018 Volume XXXVIII –Number 45

The

Shepherd’s Pen

Wayne Qualls Gary Gatewood Mike Goodpasture Shane Willis Mike Elkins

This past Sunday was a wonderful day! Our annual “Church for the Holidays” meal was delicious and enjoyed

by all. We extend a Big Thank You to all who gave their time and talents in making the day a success in every way. The month continues to be busy with activities for everyone. BE INVOLVED! The Sunshine Bags will be

assembled and distributed for delivery on Wednesday night, December 12th. Be willing to take a Sunshine Bag and deliver to an individual. You will brighten their day with a smile and visit. The following Wednesday,

December 19th, plans are to go Christmas Caroling to those who are confined to their homes due to health issues. We will leave the building at 5:30pm and carol until service time at 7pm. Following the devotional time,

we will resume caroling until 8pm. If you can’t make round one, you can join us for round two as we conclude. A great opportunity to serve and enjoy time together.

Sunday will be another wonderful day! Todd and Renee Parsley will be with us for our morning worship service. Todd will speak during worship service and a joint adult class during bible study. Todd and Renee will

begin their work with us mid-January. They are excited about being a part of this church family. We look forward to that time! Be an encouragement to them! Be enthusiastic! Be engaged!

This is the time of the year when giving gifts becomes a focus and priority to many. The most recent survey

revealed that U.S. consumers are expected to spend approximately 794 U.S. dollars on average on Christmas gifts. In many cases sacrifices will be made to purchase that perfect gift. The gift “that keeps on giving”, is a

term used in a commercial to encourage your response to purchase an item. God has given us the gift “that

keeps on giving”. That gift is “Jesus Christ”. This is not a gimmick. There are no hidden charges. It is God’s gift. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.”( John 3:16) When we open and accept

God’s gift, we find within His gift “propitiation”. “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (I John 4:10.) The propitiation makes it possible for all

men to be saved. God’s gift to us is “precious.” God gave us His most precious commodity, His Son. “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all

things?” (Romans 8:32) God has done the greater in giving His most precious commodity. He will, with Him, give all less costly gifts that are needed as we walk with Him. God’s gift to us is “permanent”. There is no need

to exchange. His gift is everlasting. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ

Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) God’s gift to us is the perfect gift. No assembly required, no missing or damaged pieces. The gift “That Keeps On Giving.” “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

(II Corinthians 9:15) Your Elders

Carter’s Corner

Bobby & Sandy McFarlin

Married 50 Years November 27, 2018

We want to wish this special couple a belated

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 50th Anniversary!

2018 Volunteer Of The Year Kathy McDonald and June Aydelott

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Ephesians 2:10 In appreciation for your willingness and desire to serve in preparing food boxes for the St. Thomas

Hickman Clinic and Hospital Food Pantry. Thank you for your time and dedication.

Sunday, December 2, 2018

The past few days have been filled with

great times spent with our church family. Our annual “Church for the Holidays”

was a tremendous success this past Lord’s Day. It was very encouraging to

see so many people in our congregation

come together to cook, decorate, clean, prepare, serve, entertain, and volunteer

in order to make this year’s event another success!

Over 30 of our young people loaded the bus following our

program Sunday afternoon for a time filled with fun and

shopping for our Angel Tree children. Even with bus troubles, our teens enjoyed a great time at Opry Mills;

Christmas shopping not only for their friends and families, but also for those unable to enjoy this time of year as

much as others. I am thankful for all of our wonderful

chaperones who were able to attend with us—Shelby, Craig & Misty Shelton, Johnathon & Misty Aydelott, and

Erick & Amanda Mayberry.

Coming up this weekend will be the Christmas parties for both our Jr. & Sr. High students. The Jr. High will have

their “Christmas Extravaganza” in the Lighthouse from

6:00-9:00. We will spend time eating, enjoying some Christmas-themed activities, and playing Dirty Christmas.

Everyone should bring a $10-$15 gift for Dirty Christmas.

Sunday afternoon, the Sr. High will have our annual

Progressive Dinner beginning at 4:00. We will enjoy appetizers & salads before evening worship supper and

dessert courses following worship. Everyone should bring a $10-$15 gift for Dirty Christmas.

Finally, don’t forget to mark your calendars for our upcoming Breakfast with Santa on December 15th from

8:00-10:00. We will enjoy a finger food breakfast, crafts, and of course pictures with the big man himself. I hope

you make plans to attend and are inviting those in our community. This will be a come-and-go event.

In His Service, Carter

CONTRIBUTION $12,408.09

Camp $ 158.11

BUDGET: $12,987.00

Thank You

...Maxine Atkinson spent a few days in the hospital. She is at home recovering. ...Al Baltz is dealing with health problems. ...Mary Helen Barber is now at the Life Care Center. ...Shirley Bryant, mother of Melissa (Barry)Shelton, is very sick at the St. Thomas Hickman Nursing Home. ...Gary Jacobs is recovering from gall bladder surgery.

Please Pray For:

Katelyn Prince writes: “Dear Centerville Church of Christ, I wanted to sincerely thank you once again for awarding me with such a generous scholarship. I am so very grateful for everyone’s time and effort that goes into such a process. I have a full load this semester and with the scholarship I bought all of my books and paid for my on-line class. I am on track to keep straight A’s this semester. I am a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, and recently became a member of Sigma Kappa Delta English Honors Society. I will graduate from Columbia State in May, and will begin attending MTSU in the fall in pursuit of my Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. I wished to tell you this because I want to assure you of the positive impact such a wonderful scholarship has had on me and my college education path. My heart is full knowing I am a part of this supportive Christian community. Again, thank you for all you do.” Brownie Mayberry writes:“ My sincere thanks for the beautiful birthday cards. I have been blessed with a loving family and a caring church family.” Vicky Jones and Family write:“Our heartfelt thanks to the Centerville Church of Christ for the many expressions of sympathy after the death of my mother, Katie Bates. The lantern that was sent is beautiful. Many thanks to the ladies who organized and prepared the wonderful meal for our family after the services. It was very much appreciated!”

Mattie Ayers writes: “I want to thank everyone that sent me the beautiful birthday cards. Thanks also for the food. I want to thank everyone who has been good to me. It helps me a lot.”

Benefit

Sunshine Baskets will be assembled on Wednesday night, December 12th. If you could bring

cookies, candy, etc. to fill the bags it would be appreciated. Thanks!

Sympathy ...We express our deepest

sympathy to the family of Becky Harvill who passed away. She was great niece of Brownie Mayberry, and the niece of Petise (June) Bowen. There are also several cousins who are members of our church family.

...Dec. 7th Gary Gatewood’s Sunday School class Christmas Party @ the Lodge at 6 P.M. ...Dec. 8 Jail Ministry Holiday Meal ...Dec. 8 Wayne Qualls’ Sunday school class Christmas Party @ the Lodge 6 P.M. ...Dec. 12 Sunshine Baskets/ Assemble & Handout @ 7 P.M. ...Dec. 14 YAM Christmas Party at the Dotson home at 6 P.M. ...Dec.16th Bill McDonald’s Sunday school class Christmas Party in the Lighthouse at 7 P.M. ...Dec. 19 Christmas Caroling ...Dec. 20 Students Dismissed @ 10 A.M. ...Dec. 25th Christmas Day ...Dec.26 No Messenger/Devo. only at 7 P.M. ...Dec. 21-Jan. 2 School System Christmas Break

A special “Thank You” to Shelia Griggs for the donation of the

new Christmas tree! Thank you Shelia!

There will be a benefit for the family of Chelsie Woodard Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at

the East Hickman High School Cafeteria from 5:30-6:45 P.M. There will be chili, crackers or cornbread, dessert and drink for $6.00 per person. There will be a concert at 7 P.M. performed by the East Hickman High School Band & Choir. * Chelsie remains in Atlanta for rehabi l i tation following the accident that claimed the life of her brother Layton. Chelsie suffered a severe traumatic brain injury called Diffuse Axonal Injury.

Ms. Linda Johnson, a resident of the St. Thomas Hickman Nursing Home, has expressed a desire to be added to our church membership. She is assisted with communion each week by members of the Centerville Church of Christ.

Placing Membership

Sunshine Baskets

Place Stamp

Here

Read Scripture

Dec. 9: Griffin Elkins Dce. 16: Daniel Dressler

Elder’s Prayer

Dec. 9: Gary Gatewood

Prayer Week Of December 9 S.M.W. S.M.D.

David Brown Shaun Lawson S.E.W. SE.D.

Mike Brown Mark Chessor W.E.B.S. W.E.D.

Mike Plunkett Jared Brown

Church For The Holidays

Resignation

David Brown has resigned from his role as Deacon. We appreciated his willingness to serve as a deacon. We are thankful for David, Kathy , and family. We are blessed they are part of our church family.

The 2018 Service Award was presented to our Minister Search Committees in recognition for their service to this church family. We thank them for their time, dedication, and love for the Centerville Church of Christ.