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

-Postmaster-Send Address changes to Centerville Church of Christ, 138 N. Central Ave., Centerville 37033-1427, Periodicals Postage Paid Centerville, TN 37033

December 19, 2012 Volume XXXII - Number 50

“I Hope You Know”

“The Time Is Now” has served our hearts and our church

family, as an aide to focus our attention, direct our

thoughts, and encourage our hearts to deepen our daily

walk with the Master. I would be remiss, if among these last words of 2012, the encouragement offered by those

in and near our congregation, went unthanked. However we measure “success” (the word itself

challenges the call to faith and servanthood) our sights look on this year and the reception of the word preached

and the word practiced through our lives collectively and individually, is one measurement of this success. While

in a couple of weeks we will step away from this as our

theme, and change our focus to another, what will not change is the commitment to exalt our resurrected

Savior, His holy word, and the call to holiness of a cherished people. Thank you.

Through our world of instant gratification and immediate

reward, there is no substitute for daily study and application of God’s word in our lives. The Centerville

Church of Christ, has unfolded a history of more than

140 years, which is neither accidental nor easily dismissed as inconsequential. While unlikely anyone

reading these words will be present for the duration of the next 140 years (provided the Lord has not returned),

the opportunity we have now is not to laminate our faith for those who will follow, but to invest and instill in their

lives a love for God, which in its fullness, leads hearts to

want to follow Him in “the faith” (Jude vs. 3). Some boast of their innovations of the faith, while others boast

of the “experience” they create; still others boast, “nothing has changed.” “The Time Is Now” we boast in

the cross of Jesus (Galatians 6:14) and the death of the world to us and renewal of Christ in us. The future of

the Lord’s church is secure. It’s His church, nothing of our invention or distortion can alter that fact. Thanks be

to God, our calling is to the faithful preaching and living

of His word to spur hearts to find faith in Him (Romans 10:17).

Church, please, in this world of confusion and

disaster, please, “be the church.” End your time “going to church” and stake your claim on today of

“being the church.” Live a life that is separated, not secretive toward sin. Live a life that more than

“feels” like you have a relationship with Jesus, but “knows” undoubtedly and unapologetically you

know His love in your life (I John 2:3). Live a life that is shaped in His image (Galatians 2:20).

Our end of 2012 and beginning of 2013 will contain no more and no less of our responsibility to “be the

church of (meaning belonging to) Christ.” If we are His, His love will be in our hearts for the Father and

His word and will (John 4:34). If we are His, His compassion will be in our eyes, our hands, and our feet for every lost and sin enslaved soul we encounter along this journey (Acts 3:6). If we are

His, His blood will cleanse our sins daily and inspire

us to tell others they too can enjoy that blessing (Acts 22:16). I hope you know, if we are His,

tomorrow will be brighter than today.

JUNIOR &

SENIOR High

COST —$55.00

SPACE IS

LIMITED!

For More Information

and/or An Application,

Visit

www.centervillechurchofchrist

.org/ministries/youth

Or next to the youth news board!

We received a donation of $5,000 from an anonymous donor for

Framing the Future ! Thank you very much….

CHRIS TEET HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO STAFF SERGEANT IN THE N A T I O N A L G U A R D . CONGRATULATIONS !!

Thanks to the Cub Scouts for

their donation of food for our Food Pantry.

WHEW! WHAT A PACKED FEW DAYS WE’VE HAD… We began last Wednesday with the Lighthouse, then the Junior High Prayer Breakfast Thursday, Junior High Big Fun Christmas on Friday night, Breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning, 20/30 Christmas on Saturday night, Shopping Sunday afternoon, and Senior High Fireside Sunday night. What a great time! What a great way to grow closer than time together.

SEVERAL TO THANK… Thanks to Shaun Lawson and Ethan Horner for their leadership of the Hickman Middle F.C.A. group. Thanks to Daniel Dressler for arranging for Santa to be with us and to all the Youth Group elves. Also, to Philip & Alice Anne Jacobs and Jeremy & Meredith Qualls for helping with the Breakfast. We had close to 50 children to stop by! Thanks to Matthew & Cissy Dotson for a wonderful evening at their home, a memorable game of “regifted dirty Christmas, and some delicious food! Thanks to Mike & Regina Elkins and Philip & Alice Anne Jacobs for hosting the Senior High Fireside and some delicious food. We had a packed house and a fantastic evening! Last and surely not least, thanks to Misty for all the hard work she puts in to her job as principal and then never misses an activity to help and support me.

None of this would be anywhere close to what it is without her help.

A FEW THINGS BEFORE THE END OF 2012… Camp Snowball is set to begin in just a few days. Arrangements have been made, shirts have been ordered, and surprises have been planned. If you have not signed up yet. See me or Matthew Dotson as soon as you can. The deadline is Wednesday, December 19, but we may can squeeze in a few before the end of the week. We also have a list ready for what you will need to bring with you. There is a copy at the Youth News Board or you may get one off our website at the youth page. I cannot wait and the whole staff is excited!

WE WILL HAVE A PARENT AND YOUTH MEETING the last Sunday of December. We will discuss the upcoming retreats, have sign-ups for hosting firesides, lighthouse, and chaperoning 5th Quarters, and other important news. We will meet right after evening worship. Hope to see you there!

SEVERAL HAVE REQUESTED THIS QUOTE I USED on Sunday in my sermon... “May the Lord go behind you to encourage you, beside you to befriend you, above you to watch over you, beneath you to lift you from your sorrows,within you to give you the gifts of faith, hope, and love,and always before you, to show you the way.” -Dr. Blair Monie May we challenge ourselves to make God the center of our lives and add whatever else to that. Nothing is more important than my relationship with God, for it is the one relationship that makes stronger or tears down all others. Much more it is the only relationship that can offer eternal life. follow His path, -Craig

-December 19 Toy Giveaway

& Sunshine

Basket

Preparation

church building

10:15

-December 27– 29

Camp

Snowball VII

-December 30 Youth &

Parent

Meeting Chapel

7:00

Jeremy, Meredith, Major and

Merfy Qualls have moved into their new home. Their address

is : 1884 Grinders Switch Road Centerville, TN 37033

Breakfast With Santa !

CONTRIBUTION $13,249.15

BUDGET $ 12,820.00

Sunday School $151.34

The following are recovering from surgery or dealing with an illness: Henrietta Rochelle, Jeff Denton, Colby Westmoreland, Dana Johnson, Aiden Turnbow, Marie Boehms, Norma Nicks Parham, Mary Frances Welch, Brenda Joyce Cotton, Fred Hansford, Mollie Orton, J.T. Moss, Jerry Shepard, Olgia Dotson, Joyce Carroll, Bobby Kelley, Noah Elliott, Janie Billions, Andrea Spears, Lisa Shepherd, Tina Johnson.

Nursing Home Residents: Life Care Center: Belva Goins, Curtis McCord, Lois Masters, Jean Plemmons, Beverly Bruno, Stephen Church, Ruth Stephenson, Nicus Loveless, Elsie Mathis, Thelma Chessor, Thelma Deitmen, Lillian Bradford, Ida Mable Gerard. Hickman County Nursing Home: Brown Breece, Ruby Wells, Francis Harris.

Home: Mozine Atkinson, Joyce Carroll, Lula Mae Gilliam, Margaret McCord, Dorothy Easley, J.W. & Sue Roder, Troy Parks, Edward Loveless, James & Louise Westmoreland.

Please Pray For…

...Joyce Carroll is struggling with sickness and request our prayers.

...Lois Sawyer of South Carolina requests your prayers as she deals with a rare lung disease. She is the sister of Danny Rogers who works at the Hickman County Administrative Building.

...James Davis is recovering from

heart bypass surgery and brain aneurysm surgery and is having complications. His family request prayer.

...Michael Lee Sweeney, newborn baby born 3 1/2 months premature is stable and showing signs of progress as he has gained 3 ounces. He is still on the ventilator. His family expresses their sincere appreciation for your prayers.

...Ralph Stout, former minister of the Centerville Church of Christ has pneumonia and a tumor on his lung. He is under hospice care. His address is 1611 11th St. S E, Apt 111, Decatur, AL. 35601-5155.

...Henrietta Rochelle had a surgical biopsy Tuesday at Maury Regional Hospital. She will be in the hospital a few days.

...Community Christmas Day Meal, Tuesday, December 25th at the Hickman County Middle School. *Centerville Church of Christ Members: Please sign the list in the lobby for cookies for this event. ...NO MESSENGER DECEMBER 26TH

Coming In January… ...January 5 Worship Training Workshop

Larry Lawhon writes: “Thank you all so very much for your prayers, cards, and good wishes following my shoulder replacement surgery. You have been great encouragement to me while God has blessed my recovery.” Mary Helen Barber writes: “I can’t pen words on paper for the sincerest appreciation that was extended to me due to my accident and birthday . Many thanks to my former students for their thoughtful notes. Thank you for the visits, food, cards and calls.

...A memorial has been given to

the church in memory of Cindy Litton and Lamar Chessor by

Priscilla Barber. ...Memorials have been given to

the Camp Meribah Scholarship

Fund in memory of Idell Mayberry by Mrs. Dorothy Russell

and Family Program’s Sunshine Club.

…A memorial has been given to the Camp Fund in memory of

Idel l Mayberry by John

Plemmons, Jr. ...A memorial has been given to

Camp Meribah in memory of Reba Temple, Idell Mayberry, and

James Dwyer by Doug and

Maxine Shepherd.

We rejoice with Megan Taylor who was baptized Sunday. She is the daughter of Chuck and Kim Taylor.

The Elders and Staff at the Centerville Church of Christ Wish You a Happy, Healthy Holiday Season !

We express our sympathy to the family of Alice Rainey who passed away in Hendersonville. She was the aunt of Betty (Bobby) Breece.

Remember Those Who Are

Sick or Shut-In This Holiday

Season with a Visit or Call...

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Centerville Church of Christ

138 North Central Avenue

Centerville, Tennessee 37033

Periodicals

Postage Paid at

Centerville, TN

37033

READ SCRIPTURE

December 23 Michael Bryant December 30 Will Chessor January 6 Gaylon Cude

Prayer Week of December 23 S.M.W. S.M.D Cody Woods Gary Gatewood S.E.W. S.E.D. Trey Hudgins Leon Gilbert W.E.B.S. W.E.D. Mark Chessor James Aydelott

Our Elders

Lonnie Gilliam Mike Goodpasture

Bill McDonald Wayne Qualls

PFC Bannister, Justin

B Btry 3-320th FA FOB Gardez

APO AE 09339

Remember Those Away From Home

During This Holiday Season….

Prayer Week of December 30 S.M.W. S.M.D James Aydelott Jim Hudgins S.E.W. S.E.D. Patrick Sullivan Joey Hunt W.E.B.S. W.E.D. Eric Coleman Bobby Breece

Remember This ? …. ...Camp Kerusso & Daughters of the King ...Super Saturday ...“Messenger” mailed to almost 1500 homes, volunteers help prepare and mail out weekly, e-mailed weekly to 280. ...140 Sunshine bags prepared and delivered. …Operation Santa” Great Toy Give Away” for 325 needy children in conjunction with The Centerville Family Resource Center at Outreach Center. ...Complete Christmas for 3 families in conjunction with St. Thomas Hospital Nashville. ...100 members of our church family over age 80 or married over 50 years. ...Remodeling and upgrading equipment in broadcasting room due to major lightning strike. ...Vacation Bible School Summer Spectacular. …Drug Task Force Academy Classes at Outreach Center. …Bereavement Seminar at Outreach Center.

Merry

Christmas !